Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 17, 2007

HAY RIVER RESERVE - A young man has died from injuries suffered in a Sept. 8 single-vehicle rollover on the Hay River Reserve.

The RCMP has identified the deceased as Charles Smallgeese, 22, of the Hay River Reserve.

According to an RCMP news release, police responded to a call at about 3:10 a.m. concerning the accident on the road between the reserve's Old Village and New Village.

The victim was transported to hospital in Hay River and later medevaced to Edmonton's Royal Alexandra Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

"It really affects the whole community," said Chief Alec Sunrise of K'atlodeeche First Nation.

Sunrise said people on the reserve have to pull together to get through the tragedy.

"The question is how we're going to go forward to help each other out," he said.

The RCMP reported there were multiple occupants in the vehicle.

They were treated for minor injuries by ambulance personnel on the scene.

Sunrise noted there are many different stories circulating about the accident.

"It's best to leave the investigation to the authorities," he said.

The Hay River RCMP continues to investigate.

Attempts to obtain additional information from the police were unsuccessful.