Man dies after vehicle loses control on slippery highway

A man died the morning of March 6 in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 103.

The male driver was the lone occupant of a pick-up truck heading west. The RCMP say the road surface was very slippery at the time.

The man has been identified as 73-year-old William Anthony Brophy of Shelburne County.

The RCMP were notified of the collision, which occurred near East Pubnico, at 7:10 a.m. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation has determined the vehicle was westbound on Highway 103 at mileage marker 42 kilometres. The RCMP claim the driver lost control on the slippery highway. They are attributing the condition of the road to black ice, saying although the weather was clear, the temperature had caused black ice to form on the wet roadway.

Black ice conditions were being reported on both 100-series highways Thursday morning.

After losing control, the vehicle entered the south ditch and flipped over, ending up on its wheels.

The driver was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision.

A section of the highway between Pubnico and Barrington was shut down following the crash for two hours, with traffic rerouted onto Route 3. The highway was re-opened by late morning.

The Western Traffic Services was conducting the investigation into this collision and were assisted at the scene by members of the Yarmouth town and rural detachments, as well as the West Pubnico Fire Department and EHS.

The RCMP is reminding drivers to be cautious when traveling the roads at this time of the year, especially when temperatures are around the freezing point. The RCMP says black ice can form making the highway very slippery. Drivers should reduce their speed and drive with caution.

The RCMP also stresses that occupants of vehicles should wear seatbelts at all times.