WATCH: 8-year-old Linden Baglo was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle two weeks ago. The young boy wanted to be a truck driver like his step-dad. On Sunday about 115 trucks from across the island lined up in a convoy to pay tribute to the boy.
The trucks began lining up well before noon along the highway at Duke point. There were about 115 big rigs from up-and-down the island, some with orange balloons, the favourite colour of eight-year-old Linden Baglo who was killed two weeks ago.
“We’re just here showing support for a family that’s had a tragedy in their life that’s part of the trucking community,” said truck driver Lawnie Mulholland.
“To lose a young child has to be devastating and we want to support our fellow drivers and come out and support our community,” said Sarah Termul.
Eight-year-old Linden was riding his bicycle with his sister January 6th when he was hit by an F-350 pickup truck in front of their Nelson Street home. He was wearing a helmet but succumbed to his injuries. His stepfather is a truck driver and Linden wanted to be a truck driver and that’s why so many other truckers wanted to take part.
“It’s touching all of us, we all have kids,” said truck driver Mark Lockhart. “My son ended up becoming a truck driver as well and that’s all Linden wanted to do, just wanted to drive a truck. He loved the gravel trucks, he just wanted to be a truck driver so today is for him.”
The convoy was a spectacle as 115 trucks rolled through downtown Nanaimo, their loud horns echoing throughout the city’s core.
“I am proud of all the drivers, brothers and sisters and everyone else who has joined to help and joined in for this little guy,” said Peter Fry who organized the convoy.
A large crowd of family and friends gathered at the convention centre for Linden’s service and his stepfather was seen outside saluting the drivers. At least two drivers jumped out of their trucks to hug him.
“When we heard what was going on it was the least we could do is just lend a little bit of support for him in the family,” said Shea Dewit a firefighter with North Cowichan Fire who drove a fire truck in the convoy.
A GoFundMe page set up to help the family can be found here.
Dean Stoltz
