EDMUNDSTON, N.B.—An employee at a New Brunswick campsite said the highway “looked like it had blown up” after a pileup involving nine motorcycles and an RV that left one man dead.
Edmundston police say eight men and a woman, all of whom were travelling on motorcycles, also suffered injuries in the crash Friday night and are in hospital.
Police say the male motorcyclists involved in the crash were members of various biker groups such as Hells Angels, Red Devils and Darksiders.
The employee, who asked she not be identified by name to protect her privacy, said a crowd of approximately 50 people gathered around the injured bikers as they waited for emergency responders to arrive.
“It was just like an explosion,” the employee said. “There was bikes and pieces all over the grass, and all over, there were people lying in the grass and across the road ... Everything from boots, to credit cards, to money just all over the place.”
According to police, the crash occurred on Highway 144 as the motorcyclists tried to pass the RV while it was preparing to turn into the St-Basile campsite entrance.
Police say in an attempt to avoid hitting the fifth wheel, the motorcycles came in contact with each other creating a “domino effect.”
They say the deceased rider, a 51-year-old man from Boisbriand, Que., came in contact with the RV.
The driver of the RV was not injured.
The employee said three people from Ontario were in the RV during the crash. She said the campers spent the night and were still “pretty shaken up” by the incident when they left Saturday morning.
The woman said she heard the sound of a crash and a tire popping at around 7:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a cloud of sand as wheels skidded onto the grass in front of the campsite.
The employee said she sent her 17-year-old son out to see what had happened, and he ran back screaming, “Call 911.”
“I’m sure he didn’t sleep that well,” she said. “One of the bikers that was there was still alive, but he didn’t make it ... He saw that part of it. So for sure, it’s hard to watch.”
The employee said fire crews and police were first to arrive on the scene, followed by an ambulance 10 to 12 minutes later. “It seemed like an eternity, but it actually was quick,” she said.
The employee said a man she believed to be associated with the motorcyclists came on Saturday to pick up their personal belongings, still strewn in front of the grounds. She said a tow truck later came to take away the damaged vehicles.
Police say the investigation into the collision is ongoing and an autopsy will be performed on the body of the deceased early next week.
Edmundston police say eight men and a woman, all of whom were travelling on motorcycles, also suffered injuries in the crash Friday night and are in hospital.
Police say the male motorcyclists involved in the crash were members of various biker groups such as Hells Angels, Red Devils and Darksiders.
The employee, who asked she not be identified by name to protect her privacy, said a crowd of approximately 50 people gathered around the injured bikers as they waited for emergency responders to arrive.
“It was just like an explosion,” the employee said. “There was bikes and pieces all over the grass, and all over, there were people lying in the grass and across the road ... Everything from boots, to credit cards, to money just all over the place.”
According to police, the crash occurred on Highway 144 as the motorcyclists tried to pass the RV while it was preparing to turn into the St-Basile campsite entrance.
Police say in an attempt to avoid hitting the fifth wheel, the motorcycles came in contact with each other creating a “domino effect.”
They say the deceased rider, a 51-year-old man from Boisbriand, Que., came in contact with the RV.
The driver of the RV was not injured.
The employee said three people from Ontario were in the RV during the crash. She said the campers spent the night and were still “pretty shaken up” by the incident when they left Saturday morning.
The woman said she heard the sound of a crash and a tire popping at around 7:30 p.m. Friday, followed by a cloud of sand as wheels skidded onto the grass in front of the campsite.
The employee said she sent her 17-year-old son out to see what had happened, and he ran back screaming, “Call 911.”
“I’m sure he didn’t sleep that well,” she said. “One of the bikers that was there was still alive, but he didn’t make it ... He saw that part of it. So for sure, it’s hard to watch.”
The employee said fire crews and police were first to arrive on the scene, followed by an ambulance 10 to 12 minutes later. “It seemed like an eternity, but it actually was quick,” she said.
The employee said a man she believed to be associated with the motorcyclists came on Saturday to pick up their personal belongings, still strewn in front of the grounds. She said a tow truck later came to take away the damaged vehicles.
Police say the investigation into the collision is ongoing and an autopsy will be performed on the body of the deceased early next week.
