‘Overwhelming’: Community shows support for family of couple killed in N.S. crash

A community barbecue was held to support the family of two people who died in a Nova Scotia highway crash.

The community gathered in Oxford, N.S., Friday to support the family of two victims of a fatal collision last weekend.

“The amount of people that showed up was overwhelming and I think it will continue,” said organizer Michelle Redmond.

Redmond and her husband host barbecue fundraisers every week throughout the summer to help those in need. They were approached by a family friend to dedicate a fundraiser to the children of Amanda and Randy Oickle.

“I immediately agreed, even though it was only one day notice, but the amount of support we received was overwhelming,” said Redmond.

The two were killed in a collision on the night of May 10. RCMP said their Nissan Sentra was struck by a Honda Civic travelling the wrong way on Highway 101 between Hantsport and Falmouth, N.S.

Police said officers had been looking for a Honda Civic earlier in the evening for a suspected impaired driving check.

Three others were killed in the collision, including the two people inside the Honda Civic. Another passenger in the Nissan Sentra was rushed to hospital, where he later died. A 29-year-old man from British Columbia was critically injured.

‘They were just amazing people’

Friends and family close to the Oickle couple say their absence is being felt.

“Very friendly. They were always present for their kids and everybody else’s kids,” said Amanda Mattinson.

“They had an open-door policy for everybody. You didn’t knock when you went in. I can’t put it into words. They were just amazing people, and they left behind two amazing kids.”

Friends of the couple’s son, who are in Grade 10, also came out to show their support.

“As you’d expect, not taking it well, but we’re trying to keep him distracted during the day and trying to do some fun stuff to keep his mind off it,” said Gage Mattinson.

“We just want to support him and be there for him and help him out because of what recently happened to him. We’re just here to support him,” said Noah Langille.

An online fundraiser has been set up for the two younger Oickle children as the community continues to rally around them and help with costs following the collision.

Randy also has an older daughter and two grandchildren.

“I’m just hoping these little things add up to just make the kids feel supported, and if it helps with anything, that’s all that matters,” said Amanda Mattinson.

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