Remembering James

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A celebration of life is being planned for the young boy who died after being struck by a vehicle in Penticton on Tuesday.

The service for James McIntosh, 5, is expected to be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, according to staff at Holy Cross School.

James was in a crosswalk at the intersection of Fairview Road and Highway 97 with his father and brother when he was hit by a vehicle driven by an off-duty RCMP officer.

Since then, there has been an outpouring of support for the boy and his family, both at his school and in the community.

At Holy Cross, where he was just beginning Grade 1, he was remembered as "a beautiful child and absolute dynamo whose energy was boundless."

Students have been helped through the grief process by counselling staff, and a short prayer service was held at St. Ann's on Wednesday.

A makeshift memorial continues to grow at the intersection where James died. There are teddy bears, flowers and cards with heartfelt messages such as "Forever in our hearts, Forever loved. James."

The officer involved in the incident, said to be Ace Stewart, an officer on the Penticton Indian Band reserve, is now on administrative leave.

People who know Stewart say he, too, is grief stricken.

An investigation into the incident by the Independent Investigations Office is ongoing.