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
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.