Neighbours and loved ones gathered Friday evening for a vigil to mourn the death of Jaxson Mansfield-O’Brey, a five-year-old boy whose life was cut short by a collision with a dump truck in the Overbrook neighbourhood. Read MoreJaxson Mansfield-O’Brey was killed after being struck by a dump truck while riding his bike in Overbrook on Wednesday afternoon.
Jaxson Mansfield-O’Brey was killed after being struck by a dump truck while riding his bike in Overbrook on Wednesday afternoon.
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Neighbours and loved ones gathered Friday evening for a vigil to mourn the death of Jaxson Mansfield-O’Brey, a five-year-old boy whose life was cut short by a collision with a dump truck in the Overbrook neighbourhood.
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The fatal collision occurred on the 300 block of Presland Road at around 3:40 p.m. on Oct. 15.
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The residential street is often quiet, but recent construction has brought more traffic, including large vehicles, to the area. Children also often play outside in the neighbourhood, which has a nearby park.
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It was near where Jaxson died that around 70 community members and loved ones gathered, holding candles and each other. Other children showed each other a photo of Jaxson, discussing how young he was.
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The Evening Citizen
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Jaxson had been a student at nearby St. Michael’s Catholic Elementary School. Before many in the crowd arrived, Catholic nuns paid respect to the memorial set up at a tree near where Jaxson was struck by the truck while riding his bicycle. Later, a women who said she knew Jaxson’s father led a recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.
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“I know we are all mourning. It is very sad,” she said.
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Ohers spoke about the life of Jaxson Mansfield-O’Brey. Children who knew him spoke of his kindness while acknowledging it “didn’t have to end like this.”
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Throughout the evening, parents and young children approached a photo of Jaxson that had been leaned up against the tree, with other families placing bouquets of flowers.
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Residents of the neighbourhood had previously told the Ottawa Citizen they hoped speed bumps or other speed-reduction measures would be installed on Presland Road to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
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Ismael Awaleh, president of the Overbrook Community Association, told the Ottawa Citizen there needed to be more safety infrastructure within the community.
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“As a community association, we send condolences to the family,” he added.
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Rawlson King, the city councillor for Rideau-Rockcliffe and a resident of the community, was also at the vigil.
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“It’s really heartbreaking when we lose a child in our community, especially a child that has been so loved,” he said.
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King noted that the evening was not about politicians, elected officials or policy, but said “work needs to be done.”
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He said he would be approaching the rest of city council next week with a written inquiry regarding safety standards for construction workers, particularly with neighborhoods densifying and undergoing more construction activity.
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King also said the Rideau-Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre would be providing supports to community members, loved ones and residents affected by the tragedy as soon as next week.
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Representatives of the family said an additional public vigil was to be held Saturday night near the family home on Prince Albert Street.
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The Ottawa Police Service said the investigation into the fatal crash was ongoing.
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With files from Natasha Baldin
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