The 14-year-old Burnaby girl who died after being hit by a dump truck last week had recently moved to Canada from Afghanistan with her family in search of a “better future,” according to the organizers of an online fundraiser for the family.
“She was known to be generous, kind, loving and the eldest of her siblings, helping her mother with all that was required in the home while also keeping her dreams alive,” states a write-up on a GoFundMe page that went up Sunday. “Her new life was filled with new friends, a new school, new neighbors and a new city, and she was so proud to have arrived in Canada with so many hopes.”
The Byrne Creek Community School Grade 8 student was walking home from school last Thursday at about 3:20 p.m. when she was struck and killed on 11th Avenue near 16th Street by a dump truck associated with the nearby Southgate City construction site.
The driver, a 57-year-old man from outside of Burnaby, is cooperating with police and an investigation into what caused the crash is ongoing, according to RCMP.
The GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the girl’s family pay for her funeral.
"This tragedy has left her entire family and community in utter shock and despair. She leaves behind her Father, Mother, five siblings and a community of loved ones who continue to mourn her loss," states the GoFundMe page.
As of Tuesday morning, the campaign had raised more than $24,000 of its $30,000 goal.
Neighbours in the area expressed outrage after the fatal crash, telling news media the City of Burnaby hasn't done enough to keep them safe from truck traffic.
Local resident Elise Frith told the NOW she had been struck by the rear-view mirror of a truck last November while walking on 11th Avenue near where the 14-year-old girl was killed.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email [email protected]
