The father of an Alberta politician who died while trying to help another driver on the side of the road said an RCMP search of the median has turned up his son’s missing watch and eyeglasses.
But Baljinder Bhullar says some of his son’s other personal effects including his kara — a bracelet worn by Sikhs — is still missing along with his cufflinks and shoes.
Members of a special RCMP tactical operations team conducted a search along a portion of the Queen Elizabeth II Highway Saturday, looking for anything that belonged to late MLA Manmeet Bhullar.
The 35-year-old Tory MLA died on Nov. 23, 2015, when he pulled over on Highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton to help a stranded motorist and was struck in a chain-reaction crash.
WATCH: Coverage of Manmeet Bhullar’s death.
Mounties say the search was not related in any way to the investigation of the collision that killed Calgary-Greenway MLA. RCMP said they were specifically looking for personal items that hold sentimental value to Bhullar’s family and friends.
Baljinder Bhullar says he feels blessed that the searchers were able to find some of the missing items.
“Thanks to God, thanks to the RCMP who have spent the time,” Bhullar said Saturday from Calgary.
The closure took place between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the highway near Blackfalds, Alta. Both northbound and southbound traffic was reduced to one lane for about 60 metres.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Sharon Franks couldn’t say whether it was unusual in Alberta for police to assist in such a search, although she said having officers present would assist in the safety.
She didn’t know what sparked the search four months after the accident, but suggested it might be due to the fact the crash occurred during a snowstorm and couldn’t be easily searched at the time.
An RCMP news release says police consulted with Alberta Transportation in launching the search.
Bhullar served in three cabinet portfolios — Service Alberta, Human Services and Infrastructure — under the previous Conservative government.
A byelection to fill Bhullar’s seat will be held next Tuesday. The candidates are Devinder Toor for the Wildrose party; Khalil Karbani for the Liberals; Roop Rai for the NDP; Thana Boonlert for the Greens; and Prab Gill for the Tories.
With files from The Canadian Press
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