Pandemic restrictions complicating efforts to plan funerals and memorials for Amhert family that died in fire
COVID-19 restrictions are complicating efforts to plan funerals and memorials for six members of a family who died in a trailer fire in Nova Scotia's Cumberland County on the weekend.
Already thousands of dollars have been raised to support family and friends.
Heartfelt condolences continue to pour in for those grieving the tragic loss of the young Amherst family.
"I'm so sorry that it happened…and this is just devastating," said Amherst resident Marlene Greeno.
Thirty-year old RJ Sears, 28-year-old Michelle Roberston, 11-year-old Madison, eight-year-old Ryder, four-year-old Jaxson, and three-year-old CJ all passed away in their camper trailer on Sunday.
The family of six was enjoying a weekend getaway to celebrate CJ's recent third birthday.
"At a time like this the community needs to come together and, really, the loss of four babies, four children in our community and their parents, its unfathomable," said Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, the MLA for Cumberland North.
Four-year-old Jaxson's father Tyler Allen says his son will be remembered as being wise beyond his years, adding Jaxson was involved in all aspects of his life -- even being the first to carry the cup after Allen's team won the adult hockey league in Amherst.
In a statement to CTV News on Wednesday, Allen also said: "Jaxson made me realize how special life is and how you should treat people day in and day out. Losing him is so devastating but even more because, I swear, he had a heart that was going help change the world."
Multiple fundraising efforts are currently underway to help the families.
"Everyone is rallying together for this family, and its needed," Greeno said.
Smith-McCrossin says the community has raised tens of thousands of dollars raised already.
"It's because this community wants to support this family in absolutely every way possible," she said.
At the family's request, Smith-McCrossin sent an urgent letter to Nova Scotia's Chief Medical Officer as well as the premier today -- asking for an exemption to the gathering limits currently in place due to COVID-19.
"The next step is going to be the hardest," Smith-McCrossin said. "Burying the six people, the family which includes four beautiful children. It's a tragedy for this community and our community needs to be together at this time."
Smith-McCrossin says she hasn't heard back from the province at this time.
RJ sear's parents said Wednesday that all six autopsies have now been completed and the remains will be released to a local funeral home. They say they hope this means they'll soon have answers on what exactly took place that tragic day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.