RCAF aviator identified as casualty in Kingston 401 pileup

As a result of the pileup collision on Highway 401, Aviator Matthew Jamieson, 33, tragically lost his life on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019.

According to a press release from 14 Wing Greenwood in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Jamieson passed away as a result of the accident. At the time of his death, Jamieson was a student on a trade qualification course at CFB Borden, but his home unit was 144 Construction Engineering Flight, a part of 14 Construction Engineering Squadron in Pictou, Nova Scotia.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our lost comrade. Our primary focus at this time is to provide the best possible support to his family and colleagues at 14 Wing Greenwood, 14 Construction Engineering Squadron, and 144 Construction Engineering Flight,” the press release reads.

“Together, we mourn a life tragically cut short and encourage anyone who requires additional support to seek the services available to them at 14 Wing.”

According to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Jamieson graduated from a Regular Force Basic Military Qualification Course in August of 2018. At the course graduation ceremony, Jamieson received the ‘Top Candidate’ award.

“The most significant change I see since the beginning of the course is the feeling of teamwork with this group…We’re pretty much family. When we set up our camp during the final exercise, it was hot and we had a lot of defensive stores to unload – especially barbed wire,” Jamieson said of after receiving the award.

“We developed a system that ensured we completed the task quickly yet safely. My long-term goal is to take on leadership roles in the RCAF.”

Further details regarding a service for Jamieson will be announced as they become available, according to 14 Wing Greenwood.

The collision, which involved approximately 40 vehicles and affected over 100 travellers, caused the closure of the westbound lanes of Highway 401 for over 10 hours.