Whitehorse Daily Star

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FORMER FIREFIGHTER REMEMBERED – Elizabeth Boyd is seen in firefighter combat training on April 26, 2017. She died early last Wednesday morning after the emergency response vehicle she was driving rolled over near Haines Junction.

Ambulance was being returned, family says

The family of Elizabeth Boyd has released a statement regarding her death from a highway rollover incident early last Wednesday.

By Gord Fortin on June 18, 2018

The family of Elizabeth Boyd has released a statement regarding her death from a highway rollover incident early last Wednesday.

“It is with great sadness that we feel this loss,” it said in the statement, released Friday afternoon.

“The void that Beth leaves in our lives is overwhelming right now.”

The RCMP and the Yukon Coroner’s Office have stated that the private ambulance was taken without permission from a Haines Junction-area worksite, but did not identify who had taken it.

Boyd, 19, died after the vehicle left the Alaska Highway and rolled.

The family members said they understand that Boyd was trying to return the ambulance at the time of the accident.

The family said she wanted the vehicle returned to the Department of Highways and Public Works’ Cracker Creek camp before the workday began.

“This was a reflection of who she was and her concern for the safety of all Yukoners,” reads the release.

The family highlighted Boyd’s community service, pointing out she was dedicating her life to helping other people.

She served in the Mount Lorne Volunteer Fire Department actively and took part in the territory’s first all-female Fire Combat Team.

She was a former member of the local 4H Club and a Junior Canadian Ranger.

The family reports that Boyd was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. She was also using her cellphone while driving.

The family wants to encourage everyone to wear their seatbelts and stay off phones while driving.

“While our grief is so intense, we want to reinforce the message, please do not use your cellphone and please use your seatbelt,” it said in the release. “It only takes a second for tragedy to strike.”

The Star reached out to Highways and Public Works for comment about the circumstances of the accident.

Spokesperson Heather McKay said Boyd had no connection to the worksite but was unable to comment on how the vehicle left the worksite.

The RCMP told the Star there would be no comment during the ongoing investigation.

RCMP spokesperson Coralee Reid said she hopes to be able to release more information later.

A representative of the Mount Lorne Volunteer Fire Department said Friday the department had no comment on Boyd’s death.

Comments (7)

Up 8 Down 0

Groucho d'North on Jun 21, 2018 at 1:06 pm

We all know where the ambulance was taken from and we all understand Ms. Boyd was returning the ambulance back to its rightful location, however nobody has reported from where Ms. Boyd rescued the stolen ambulance. There are so many holes in the reporting of these stories.

Up 32 Down 0

This could be your loved one on Jun 19, 2018 at 9:49 pm

Please....remember someone lost their daughter, be kind - sh*tty comments probably aren’t needed at this time.

Up 8 Down 3

Jim on Jun 19, 2018 at 8:54 pm

Didn't identify who took the ambulance? Sounds like she wasn't alone. Toxicology report will be the final piece of this puzzle. So sad, cause it cost her life. make someone's else's wrongful doing to make it right ?
RIP young one.

Up 29 Down 6

Stu Panton on Jun 18, 2018 at 9:34 pm

This is so incredibly sad.

We all make mistakes and most people have some very good qualities.
In this case it seems so unfair that a brilliant star has left us too soon.

Up 16 Down 13

Sad story on Jun 18, 2018 at 5:01 pm

Sad story from every angle here for sure. As a first responder she should have known the risks of using a phone while driving not to mention not wearing a seatbelt. The fact the vehicle was stolen does not really bode well. Her best move would have been to report the stolen vehicle to RCMP.

Up 24 Down 12

jean on Jun 18, 2018 at 4:23 pm

@Melody - There is no evidence or statement made that Boyd took the vehicle from the construction site, only that she was returning it.
From the information released it appears her only mistake was driving without wearing a seatbelt while using a cell phone.
It's a tragic loss for the Yukon community.
My condolences go out to her family and friends.

Up 24 Down 49

Melody on Jun 18, 2018 at 3:54 pm

Such a sad thing to happen , doesn't make it right to take it in the first place.

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