CBC : Funerals held for victims of B.C. wedding crash

Funerals held for victims of B.C. wedding crash

CBC News | September 2, 2007

Two funerals were held Sunday for five of the six people killed last week when a pickup truck plowed through a traditional Indian wedding procession in British Columbia's Fraser Valley.

The accident occurred on Aug. 24 near Abbotsford when a truck driven by a 71-year-old man smashed through a group of 25 to 30 people who were taking part walking along a country road late in the evening.

The crash killed six people, many of whom were relatives of the bride, and injured 17 others.

About 1,000 people gathered Sunday at a crematorium in Delta to pay their respects to four of the dead, including the youngest victim, a 13-year-old boy.

A separate service was held in Abbotsford for a 57-year-old man. Hundreds of people filled a chapel and packed an overflow room and parking lot for Harjinder Kaur Sanghera. A service will be held for Ripudaman Singh Dhillon in India later in the week.

The driver, Bachittar Singh Brar, was questioned by police and has said he became confused when he saw the large group of people on the road, and that by the time he hit the brakes it was too late.

No charges have been laid. Police continue to investigate the cause of the accident, including Brar's health and the mechanical condition of his truck.

Despite the tragic circumstances, the couple, Simne Mahil and Robbie Grewal, went ahead with their wedding in Mission last week. But a reception was cancelled and only close family and friends attended the ceremony that was supposed to be attended by several hundred people.