CARBONEAR, N.L. — A joyous day in eastern Newfoundland was marred by tragedy when a man was killed after being run over by a Christmas parade float, RCMP said Sunday.
Sgt. Wayne Newell said the incident happened after the parade had wrapped up in Carbonear. He said the 41-year-old victim was headed home, riding on a flatbed trailer that served as the float.
Newell said the truck that was towing the trailer made a turn, causing the man — who had been sitting on a rail — to fall from the float.
“He fell on the inside of the turn and actually went under the wheels to the best of our knowledge,” Newell said in an interview.
“(He) suffered a very tragic death as he was dragged underneath the wheels of the transport trailer.”
Newell said the man was dragged a “considerable distance” and died from his injuries at the scene. His name was not immediately released.
Three other people who were on the float — members of a local motorcycle club — were not hurt.
The incident remains under investigation, but police said they do not suspect foul play.
Newell said investigators were speaking to a handful of adults who witnessed the accident. He said it’s not believed that any children saw what happened.