Child, 11, airlifted to Halifax after horse-drawn buggy, car accident

RCMP are investigating a highway accident involving a horse-drawn buggy and a car near P.E.I.'s North Shore Tuesday morning.

The accident happened on Route 224 near Ebenezer at about 9 a.m.

Sgt. Craig Eveleighinitiallysaid six people were sent to hospital, but later said there were actually five people treated in hospital.

There were four children in the buggy, including an 11-year-old who was airlifted to the IWKin Halifax with serious injuries, according to Eveleigh. Two other children were sent to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the buggy, the children's father, was also sent to hospital.

The 17-year-old driver of the car was also sent to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. A passenger in the car was not injured.

Eveleigh said both the buggy and car were travelling east and were on the downside of a hill, when it appears the car hit the back of the buggy.

He said the horse got back up after the accident and didn't appear to be seriously hurt.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Ongoing safety process

In a written statement, Transportation Minister Steven Myerssaid the province is committed to making Island roads safer for everyone who uses them, including working with the RCMP and representatives of the communities that use horse-drawn buggies.

"This process is ongoing and may include safety campaigns and road improvements. We will also work with the RCMP to better understand the factors in the most recent collision."

Earlier this year, the province said it was working to make changes to some Island roads after two collisions in Kings County, one of which sent two people to hospital.

The department said it was looking at several solutions including widening the shoulder of roads where horse-drawn buggies are used, installing more signs and speaking with members of thecommunity for their feedback.

Under P.E.I.'s Highway Traffic Act, people riding horses and driving buggies are treated like other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists meaning rules like signalling apply.

Horses and buggies should be driven on the right side of the road and keep over as far as possible for faster vehicles to pass safely. They're also considered a slow-moving vehicle like farm tractors and are required to be marked with an orange triangle and at least one reflector on the back of the vehicle, plus a headlight if it's being driven at night.

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