In doing some research for Precision Endgate we came upon this accident from January 16th 2000 where a large amount of salt came out the end of a tail gate causing an accident.
Mark Deverson
RCMP probing crash; By Tera Camus / Cape Breton Bureau
Whale Cove - Road salt may have been a factor in the death Sunday of musician John Morris Rankin.
Mark Deverson
RCMP probing crash; By Tera Camus / Cape Breton Bureau
Whale Cove - Road salt may have been a factor in the death Sunday of musician John Morris Rankin.
Salt spilled by a provincial Transportation Department truck left a large, unexpected bump on Route 219 moments before the internationally known Celtic musician and member of the Rankins approached in his sports utility vehicle. Mr. Rankin was on his way to Cheticamp to attend a hockey tournament.
"There was certainly a mound or pile of salt . . . and from talking to our staff, this seemed to be a little bigger ... (than) the ordinary," department spokesman Chris Welner said.
The mound, less than a third of a metre high and as wide as a single lane, created a speed bump in the 80 km/h zone. It's believed Mr. Rankin swerved to avoid the bump, then lost control of the truck, which plunged over a 25-metre cliff into the Atlantic Ocean near Margaree Harbour.
Mr. Rankin's three passengers, including his son, Michael, 15, managed to escape the overturned, submerged vehicle. Michael was the first one to make it up the cliff and he flagged down a passing car. He and two 14-year-old boys were later treated for hypothermia and released from hospital.
Inverness RCMP are looking into whether the excessive salt on the road caused the crash. The roads were also snow-covered and icy at the time of the 7:30 a.m. accident.
"That's still under investigation, and I do not have much comment," Const. Sheldon Miller said.
"That's still under investigation, and I do not have much comment," Const. Sheldon Miller said.
"It's sad . . . probably one of the hardest (investigations) I've had to do," Const. Miller said. "The boys were lucky" to survive.
Mr. Welner said the department is working with the RCMP to determine whether the salt was a factor.
"Right now, we don't have all the facts but we're helping gather the facts and helping the police with their work," Mr. Welner said.
The department isn't going to introduce any changes to the way it clears the highway of snow and ice, Mr. Welner told CBC Radio's afternoon show in Sydney.
"Every day (the drivers) go out and go out as well-trained officers who do a very difficult job in very difficult conditions," he said.
Mr. Rankin, who lived in Judique, played fiddle and piano for 10 years in the popular Celtic pop band that included sisters Raylene, Cookie and Heather and brother Jimmy. Last fall, the Juno award-winning group broke up to pursue solo careers. At the time, Mr. Rankin said he was interested in spending more time at home with his wife, Sally, his son and daughter Molly, 13.
No autopsy will be performed. Police cannot say whether he died from injuries suffered in the crash or drowned. His funeral is set for Thursday at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Church in Mabou
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