N.S. premier calls baby ATV crash death ‘heartbreaking,’ won’t talk potential law changes

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston labelled the death of a baby following an ATV crash in Lunenburg Co. a “heartbreaking situation” on Thursday. Despite the condolences, Houston sidestepped any immediate talk of strengthening laws regarding children and off-road vehicles.

“Those are all discussions we can have but right now we’re just focused on the grief that’s being experienced,” he said to reporters following a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

“The grief that we, the family, and certainly the friends and all of Nova Scotians feel over this, it’s just a heartbreaking tragedy.”

A baby died, and two adults suffered serious injuries, following an ATV crash in the community of Forties, N.S., on Monday evening.

Nova Scotia’s Off-highways Vehicles Act (OHV) currently does not enforce a minimum age requirement for passengers riding on ATVs.

Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay said investigators now believe alcohol to be a factor in the crash.

“We will certainly be examining any charges that will be suitable,” he said during an interview on Wednesday, adding that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Police believe a Polaris Rzr was travelling on a logging road before the vehicle rolled and landed on its roof. A fourth individual, a child from Forties, was also taken to the hospital after sustaining minor injuries.

“What’s important to remember is that anyone who’s riding on or in an ATV or side-by-side is required to wear a helmet by law under the Off-highways Vehicles Act,” Tremblay said on Wednesday.

Barry Barnet, the executive director for ATV Association of Nova Scotia (ATVANS), said he isn’t aware of any helmet that would fit an infant.

“I don’t think any manufacturer makes such a thing,” he said, adding that