EDMONTON – Melinda Green, the 20-year-old woman killed at an Edmonton Jeep show on Saturday, was a MacEwan student and planning a spring wedding.
Green was a spectator at the Jeeps Go Topless Show and Shine at the Oliver Square parking lot on Saturday when a vehicle demonstration went terribly wrong.
One vehicle was balancing on the wheels of another when – instead of backing up to dismount – it lurched forward, pinning Green.
Paramedics performed CPR on the woman, before she was rushed to hospital where she died.
Friends and co-workers are remembering Green as a positive and friendly young woman. They say she was studying to be an architect and was engaged to be married.
“She couldn’t stop talking about it,” said friend Brandi Kowalchuk. “That’s all she ever talked about.”
Many of her co-workers found out about the tragedy when Green didn’t arrive for her shift at the Churchill Square Second Cup on Sunday.
“I heard about it on the news yesterday, and I just didn’t even think that it was one of my friends,” shared Kowalchuk.
“They called to see whether or not Melinda was coming in today because she was late – then all of a sudden, Sarah just started crying,” said Don McGregor, one of Green’s longtime customers.
Monday morning, a number of her colleagues and regular customers gathered to remember Green.
“What’s been holding me together is just remembering how absolutely glowing she was. Every time you saw her, she was just glowing with positivity,” shared Sarah Pellandini.
“She was a sweetheart,” said George Sarantis, “friendly smiling, on a first-name basis with so many people here.”
“Her parents really raised her right and they meant a lot to her. And all of our hearts go out to them, for sure,” added Pellandini.
“She’ll be missed by all,” said Jason Schnell, before becoming overwhelmed with emotion.
Many of those who knew Green are wondering how her death could have happened at what should have been a safe event.
“If they had enough people close enough to the vehicles that a jeep could roll over and someone could die, they were too close,” stressed McGregor.
In a statement to Global News, Sarina St Germaine, with the Jeep event says:
“The event leading up to the tragic death of a young woman who was a spectator at the Jeeps Go Topless Fundraising Event for the Edmonton Food Bank, was at no time considered a safety concern. The process of one vehicle climbing the front tire of another vehicle is done extremely slowly and with people spotting to make sure it is done safely for the drivers and spectators. The vehicles were turned off and people gathered around to take pictures. When the top vehicle removes itself from that position, it is always done in reverse and very slowly. No one knows what went wrong. The proper authorities are doing their investigation and until that is finished we will not have the answers people are so desperately seeking. We take safety very seriously. At no time did anyone associated with the demonstration feel there was imminent danger.
“The Alberta JK Owners Group extends their deepest and sincere sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased. We fully support the driver of the vehicle as he is well known in the off-roading community as an experienced, conscientious, safe and considerate driver.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to all those who are affected by this tragedy.”
With files from Su-Ling Goh
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