Officials with the Town of Woodstock say the New Brunswick community is “heartbroken” after a three-year-old boy was struck and killed by a starting gate during a harness racing event on Saturday afternoon.
In a statement on the town’s Facebook page, officials said crisis support is being organized for residents.
“Let’s continue to come together as a community to support one another,” the post reads.
Woodstock Police Force said officers and paramedics responded to Connell Park Raceway just before 1:30 p.m. during the races — which took place over Father’s Day weekend.
“Upon arrival, first responders determined that a three-year-old had been struck by the starting gates, which were being towed by a pickup truck,” Deputy Chief Simon Watts told reporters Monday.
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“The child was transported to Upper River Valley Hospital. Despite the efforts of bystanders and emergency personnel, the child tragically succumbed to their injuries.”
Police said the circumstances surrounding the incident is still under investigation, but at this point, it is being treated as a “tragic accident.”
“Obviously, as a community member myself, and same with our officers, it’s a small town and I can certainly say that there are a lot of very, quite rightly upset members of the public,” said Watts.
“Because it’s the death of a child, it is very, very traumatic and very saddening.”
An online fundraiser for the child’s family said that in the Maritimes’ small-knit racing community, the boy’s family is “one of our own.”
“We hope that you will find peace and comfort together in the coming days,” the organizers added.
In a statement, the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission (APHRC) said it is fully cooperating with police. It is also conducting its own internal review to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident “and to assess any measures that can be taken to prevent anything like this from happening again.”
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family, friends, and all those affected by this devastating loss,” wrote Kyle Burton, director of racing for APHRC.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy that has deeply impacted the harness racing community.”
Anyone with video or photographs that could be relevant to the investigation, or who witnessed the incident, are asked to contact police at 506-325-4601.
— with a file from Gabby Rodrigues
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