Tow truck driver's death on Trans-Canada a 'freak accident'
The death of a tow truck operator on the Trans-Canada Highway in western Manitoba is being called a "freak industry accident" by his colleagues.
Jason Schaffer of Accel Towing and Transport in Brandon, Man., was hooking up a vehicle on Monday when it moved forward, rolling over him while he was under the vehicle.
"The accident was a freak industry accident; it did not include any other vehicle that was passing the scene," Ron Lamont, a colleague and friend, said in a company statement issued Tuesday.
Schaffer and his wife, Angela, co-owned the towing company. Lamont said Schaffer "will be sadly missed by all that have come to know him."
"The loss of our leader leaves a vast hole in our organization, but the team of employees is doing their best to minimize the effect on the community, that we serve," the statement read in part.
Schaffer and his wife started Accel Towing in 2005 and built it up to be the largest towing company in Brandon, employing 20 people.
Kevin Ouellette of ABC Towing in Brandon says Schaffer's death is being felt in the local tow-trucking community.
"It could happen to anyone, and Brandon's lost a very well-known and qualified tow truck member of their family," he said.
"Everbody's a little shook up that this is this close to home, that something like this happens … reminds us just how dangerous this job is."
Ouellette said his company is now sending two trucks to all highway towing jobs as an increased safety measure.
A trust fund has been established for Schaffer's children at the Royal Bank in Brandon.
