Boy, 4, dies in Lincoln tobogganing crash

A four-year-old boy is dead, and the town of Lincoln is in mourning after a tobogganing accident Monday.

A passing pickup truck hit the boy after the snow sled he was riding went onto the road in the area of Greenlane Road and Bartlett Street in Beamsville at about 4:15 p.m., Niagara Regional Police said in a release.

The child was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.

Greenlane Road was closed so that detectives from the collision reconstruction unit and the forensic services unit could investigate.

Police did not release the name of the child.

The short embankment at the scene of the crash ends abruptly at Greenlane Road and is behind a nearby subdivision.

The Town of Lincoln announced it would lower its flags to half-mast and asked residents to honour the child by lighting a candle or saying a prayer" for family, friends and everyone impacted by the accident.

Today with heavy hearts, we are collectively mourning the loss of one of our community members, a four-year-old child who has tragically left us due to an accident here in Lincoln," a press release from Mayor Sandra Easton and the town's chief administrative officer, Michael Kirkopoulos, said on behalf of the town.

The release extended condolences to the child's family and loved ones.

We were saddened to hear of this terrible news from the Niagara Regional Police Service on Feb. 1, and as the investigation continues and more details are brought to light, we will endeavour to work with the Niagara Regional Police Service, Lincoln Fire Rescue and other community partners to assist in any and every way we can," the release said.

Bill Sawchuk is a St. Catharines-based reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: william.sawchuk@niagaradailies.com