Two young children have died following a tragic off-road vehicle crash on a farm in Canada.
The victims were identified as eight-year-old Jordan Poulin and seven-year-old Jadyn Barrett, both from British Columbia.
Authorities said five children were riding in the side-by-side vehicle when Barrett, who was driving, lost control and crashed at around 1pm on June 4.
According to the RCMP, the vehicle rolled “several times over a considerable distance.”
The group had been travelling along a rural road near the Barrett family farm outside Pouce Coupe, CTV News reported, citing Jadyn’s father, Luke.
Poulin, who was just days away from celebrating his ninth birthday, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Barrett was flown to a hospital in Edmonton in critical condition and died two days later, her father said.
“Jadyn, my daughter, went to Heaven. She’s running on the streets of gold,” Luke Barrett wrote in a Facebook post.
Jadyn Barrett, seven, of British Columbia, lost control of a side-by-side vehicle, an offroad vehicle, on June 4 around 1pm, critical injuring herself and killing her relative, Jordan Poulin
Poulin, eight, was days away from his ninth birthday when he was killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Barrett was airlifted to the hospital, where she died two days later
The side-by-side believed to be involved in the incident was posted by her father, Luke, on May 4, alongside a photo of a younger boy
The three other children suffered minor injuries, police said.
Police are investigating.
‘As a parent, I cannot fathom the unimaginable and tragic loss these families have suffered. Our hearts go out to everyone who was impacted by this unthinkable event,’ RCMP Staff Sergeant Kris Clark said in a statement.
To the Daily Mail, Clark said: ‘I would say that it is too early in the investigation to say whether charges might be laid in this case. The investigation remains ongoing and police will be looking at all aspects to determine if there is any criminality.’
Poulin was a member of Luke’s nephew’s family, the father said on Facebook.
Children under the age of 16 in British Columbia are not allowed to operate a side-by-side or similar vehicle with passengers on board.
Passengers and the driver must also meet height and weight requirements to be on the vehicle and be supervised by an adult.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Barrett family for comment.
Luke posted a photo of the side-by-side believed to be involved in the accident on May 4, alongside a photo of a younger boy.
‘Side x side rides are better with this little fellow,’ he wrote.
A side-by-side is a small, motorized, offroad vehicle.
