EDMONTON — Progressive Conservative MLA Manmeet Bhullar was killed in a car crash Monday afternoon, after stopping to help a motorist who rolled into the median.
RCMP said Bhullar died of injuries he sustained while trying to help at the scene of a rollover on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway north of Red Deer, near the Blindman River Hill.
RCMP said two vehicles stopped to help after another vehicle rolled into the median. At the same time, a northbound semi-truck lost control and struck the back of the first vehicle that stopped to help.
The semi continued into the median and struck the driver of the second vehicle, Bhullar, who was outside his vehicle.
Bhullar was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he later died.
READ MORE: ‘I will miss him so much’: Condolences pour in following death of Alberta MLA Manmeet Bhullar
Bhullar’s family issued a statement Monday night, saying he left them doing something he loved – helping someone else.
“The light in our lives went dark today. Manmeet Singh left us while he was doing what he loved more than anything – helping someone else. We know he would want us to be thankful for the countless blessings he was given by God. Just as his faith, wife, family, friends, and community gave him strength, it will give us strength now. We thank you for your support during this difficult time and ask for privacy,” the statement read.
“He demanded excellence of himself and those around him. We are all better because of him.”
The family finished the statement with the hashtag #nicetomanmeetyou.
The following pictures were sent to Global News by a witness of the crash scene. RCMP confirmed the descriptions of the vehicles involved in the collision.
Watch below: Jenna Freeman reports from Manmeet Bhullar’s constituency office in Calgary
In light of Bhullar’s death, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts meeting that was scheduled Tuesday morning at the Alberta Legislature was cancelled and will be rescheduled.
The government set up a memorial website where Albertans can send a message of sympathy to the Bhullar family.
Condolences quickly began pouring in for Bhullar Monday night, including a heartfelt statement from Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
Earlier Monday, Bhullar was in Calgary for the release of the results of the Alberta Men’s Survey.
Watch below: Calgary-Greenway MLA Manmeet Bhullar spoke at the Alberta Men’s Survey Results Launch in Calgary, hours before being involved in a fatal vehicle collision
Bhullar, who previously served as Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure, Minister of Human Services and Minister of Service Alberta, was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in March 2008.
As Human Services Minister, Bhullar was heavily involved in getting changes made in Alberta that allow the publication of names and photos of children who die in government care.
“It is the basic right of each and every one to express grief publicly or to protect privacy in a period of tremendous stress,” Bhullar said in April 2014 when the changes were made.
“This is not a decision for the government to make.”
READ MORE: Alberta lifts publication ban on children who die in care
Bhullar was born in Calgary. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Athabasca University, with studies at Mount Royal University. He also earned a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Windsor.
He was re-elected in the Calgary-Greenway riding in April’s provincial election.
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