The town of Pitt Meadows, B.C., is engulfed in sorrow following the tragic demise of a local 12-year-old bicyclist, Chace Nicol. Known in his community as a jovial and widely adored football player, young Nicol’s life was halted abruptly on Wednesday morning as he cycled to school.
An intersection at 116A Avenue and 196B Street became the tragic site where Nicol fell victim to a collision with a recycling truck. Following the unfortunate incident, an online fundraising campaign sprang into action in support of the bereaved family, gathering over $49,000 in donations by Thursday afternoon.
The boy’s loss sent shockwaves rippling through the close-knit community of Pitt Meadows, leaving many in the grips of profound grief. Nicol, remembered fondly by his footballing moniker “Crunch,” was a beloved figure not simply amongst his teammates, but also by parents and coaches.
Dave Sponchia, the president of the Meadow Ridge Football Association, spoke warmly of Nicol’s cheerful disposition. “I am not sure, in the years I’ve known him, if I ever saw him without a smile. And it was contagious – you couldn’t help but smile or laugh when you were with him,” he shared.
Nicol’s tough exterior on the football field contrasted beautifully with his radiantly joyful spirit. His untimely death has left a void that will take time to mend. Sponchia added, “He was a happy soul that has been taken unfairly, way too early.”
Ridge Meadows RCMP relayed that the recycling truck driver remained at the crash scene and it appears that impairment was not a trigger for the accident. Insp. Martin Guay extended his condolences to those affected, stating, “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families of everyone involved.”
The RCMP is actively conducting an investigation into the exact cause and circumstances leading to the tragic incident. They have extended an appeal, requesting any eye-witnesses or possessors of dash-cam or surveillance recordings of the accident to step forward, aiding the ongoing investigation.
