Police continue investigation into Kent County collision

RCMP are still investigating an incident on Route 490, near Fords Mills in Kent County, where a man was reported injured after a possible motor vehicle collision.

Cpl. Chantal Farrah said workers in the area said they were confronted by a number of people who proceeded to damage some of their equipment.

A personal vehicle of one of the workers was also "extensively damaged."

Shale gas protesters say the crew was doing seismic testing for SWN Resources Canada, however, neither the company nor the RCMP would confirm the people were working.

A man was taken to hospital after he reported being injured by a moving vehicle.

Farrah said the man has been released from hospital, but she doesn't know the extent of his injuries.

She said RCMP are investigating the incident as a motor vehicle collision.

Laterthat evening, RCMP were called to Route 490 again after at least nine trees had been cut down by a chainsaw to block the road.

Farrah warned earlier this week the situation in Kent County is becoming dangerous.

"In total there's been about 33 people who've been arrested in the past few weeks. I hope those were really the last few ones because our goal is to ensure public safety," she said.

Farrah said the RCMPsupports people expressing their opinions but there is a point when they must step in.

"Blocking the road, getting in front of heavy equipment, putting themselves in harm's wayand also impeding traffic. We've also seen cases where people were vandalizing equipment to a company in the area. And just recently we have a suspected arson,"Farrah said.

Along with the arrests at different demonstrations, there have been reports of security workers being surrounded by large groups and equipment being damaged in suspected cases of arson.

SWN Resources Canada is conducting seismic testing in Kent County to determine if there is enough gas under the ground to sustain a viable industry.

Those tests have been repeatedly interrupted by protesters in the area.

Many anti-shale gas protesters worry the seismic testing will lead to hydraulic fracturing in the area. They have said they are concerned the controversial mining practice could damage the environment.

Protesters have also said they believethe police presence in the area has been too much.

Some people, such as Angelina Iapaolo,say they've felt compelled to demonstrate because the provincial government isn't listening to their concerns over shale gas development.

"I think it just shows that people are really informed and they're not just going to sit back and wait to see what the companies do, they know what comes with it. Like I said, loud roads, pollution, the possible ground water getting polluted," Iapaolo said.

The New Brunswick government has introduced new rules and regulations that govern the oil and gas industry.

Premier David Alward has said the province now has some of the toughest rules in place to protect the environment and communities.

A recent poll released by Corporate Research Associates showed theprovince is divided on the subject of shale gasexploration.

The poll said 48 per cent of respondentsbelieve shale gas is critically important or important but not critical to the province's economic future. Meanwhile, 44 per cent of those surveyed say it is not very important or not at all important to the economy