Eskasoni 'devastated' by latest deaths of community members

The death of two Eskasoni residents on Friday after a two-vehicle collision on Highway 4 in East Bay, N.S., has thrown the tight-knit community into a state of mourning.

Simon Jeddore, 80, and his son Noel, 38, are the latest of eight deaths that have rocked the community this month, Chief Leroy Denny said Sunday.

Denny said the older Jeddore had been involved with Eskasoni's fire department for most of his life before retiring around 10 years ago.

"[He] dedicated his life for the people, saving lives and organizing the firefighters for many years in Eskasoni," Denny said.

"He was our honorary fire chief. We gave him a jacket when we opened up a new fire station.... He was very happy that we have a brand new fire station and new trucks and new equipment." 

Denny said Jeddore also took care of the cemetery grounds in the community for many years.

Devastated and saddened

Denny said Eskasoni was "devastated" and "saddened" by the loss of the two men and he praised their dedication to the community.

Following news of the deaths, Denny said a crisis team set up comfort centres where people could get food and be together.

He said a sacred fire was lit and other ceremonies were offered. 

Emergency services responded to a report of a collision at 4:19 p.m.on Friday, according to an RCMP release issued on Saturday.

RCMP say a transport truck travelling east and a Chevy Traverse travelling west collided.

Two men had serious injuries and were taken to hospital by ambulance, the release says. The men later died in hospital.

The driver of the truck, a 46-year-old man from Sydney, was not injured, according to the release.

The release says weather conditions were bad at the time of the crash.