Father, son from Timmins killed in northern Ontario ATV crash

A father and son from Timmins have been identified as the victims in a fatal ATV crash Monday involving a pickup truck in northern Ontario. It is the second deadly ATV crash in the region in less than two weeks.

CTV News has confirmed Alain Dion and his son, Ryder, were killed when their ATV collided head-on with a pickup truck on Phillips Creek Road near the community of Hillsport, between Hearst and Longlac.

Officers from the Marathon, Greenstone and Kapuskasing OPP detachments, fire crews from Greenstone and Mantiouwadge and Superior North Emergency Medical Services responded to the call shortly after 3 p.m. July 31, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release.

"Both the driver and passenger of the ATV were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the motor vehicle sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by EMS," OPP said.

"The OPP North West Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) Team and OPP Technical Collision Re-Constructionists are assisting in the investigation as it remains ongoing."

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COMMUNITY AND LOVED ONES IN SHOCK

Alain's oldest son, Kane, posted online that his dad and brother were returning from fishing when the tragic crash happened.

Now, online condolences are pouring in on social media for the pair.

Both were involved in hockey, with Alain coaching U15 for the Timmins Northstars and Ryder playing #77 for the U13 Junior Gold Kings in Porcupine.

April, Alain's wife and Ryder's mother, told CTV News in a social media message her husband was the principal at St-Gerard and took care of Notre Dame du Rosaire in Gogama.

"He went above and beyond for those kids there. He wanted to make a difference in their lives and give them equal opportunities like the rest of the schools had," she said.

"(He) loved his job and would do anything for his students and staff."

April describes Ryder as an amazing son that had a great sense of humour and was very caring towards his younger sister.

"Ryder loved spending time with his family and friends, swimming, skiing, snowmobiling, four-wheeling and fishing," she said.

"He took very good care of his sister. He always looked out for her."

Alain (left) and Ryder (right) Dion of Timmins were killed in an ATV crash in northern Ontario. (Miron-Wilson Funeral Home)

"If there’s anything people can take from this is that just to be careful on the roads while driving and to make sure you tell your loved ones how much they mean to you because you're never promised tomorrow," April said.

 

Just more than a week ago, a mother and her five-year-old daughter died in a single ATV crash east of Parry Sound. A third person, her nine-year-old son survived the collision.

 

Michelle, 42, and Heidi, 5, Bader-Shaw were killed in an ATV crash east of Parry Sound in July. (Skwarchuk Funeral Homes and Low & Low Limited)