The Island will gather this week to remember two paramedics who died last week when their ambulance collided with a transport truck in Melrose, N.B. The funerals for Jenna Croucher, 23, and Mike MacKenzie, 56, are scheduled for Friday in downtown Charlottetown.
Services, processions and livestream
Both services will be held at the Delta Hotel. Family-led ceremonies are not open to the public but will be streamed on the Island EMS Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person.
| Service | Start time (Friday) | Procession (University Ave.) |
|---|---|---|
| Jenna Croucher | 10 a.m. | Expected to start ~11:40 a.m. |
| Mike MacKenzie | 2 p.m. | Expected to start ~5:30 p.m. |
Authorities and Island EMS have invited members of the public to line the procession route along University Avenue between Province House and the Royalty Crossing Mall to pay their respects as the processions pass.
What happened
The two paramedics were among three people who died after the ambulance they were in collided with a transport truck on July 7 in Melrose, about 12 kilometres southwest of the Confederation Bridge near Port Elgin, N.B. A 77-year-old patient from Montague, Anne Martell, was also killed. A private service for Martell took place earlier this week.
On July 10, Croucher and MacKenzie were brought back to P.E.I. in an hours-long procession that began in Saint John, N.B., and ended in Souris. The cross-border tribute drew first responders and members of the public who lined highways and streets to honour them.
"What we saw last Friday was just amazing, I
Support and attendance
Thousands of fellow paramedics and first responders from across the region are expected to attend the Friday services, along with friends and family. Organizers have asked that those who gather for the public processions be respectful of the private services and of physical distancing guidance where appropriate.
- Services: private, livestreamed on Island EMS Facebook page
- Public invited: processions along University Avenue following each service
- Background: crash occurred July 7 in Melrose, N.B.; three people died
The loss of two colleagues has been felt across the Island’s emergency services and in communities where the paramedics worked. The planned public processions and the livestream aim to give Islanders a way to honour their service while respecting the families’ private mourning.
