A funeral service was held Tuesday for a Watford teenager who died last week in a Lambton County farm accident.
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“It is with heavy hearts the family of Adam Buurma announces his sudden passing on May 9, 2024, at the young age of 17, as a result of a farm accident,” sdaid an obituary published on Denning’s of Watford funeral home’s website.
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Buurma is survived by his parents, siblings and their families. One sibling wrote a tribute about Buurma on Facebook.
“Life can be taken in a moment. Our youngest brother Adam’s life was cut short. The pain I never thought I could feel, I’ve felt,” David Buurma wrote. “I loved him, his energy for life and going full out was amazing. I saw so much potential. Yet God had a different plan.”
The Buurma family collectively wrote a tribute on the online obituary page.
“We will miss you Adam, we were so proud of you, we loved you so much. We have confidence in looking forward to seeing you again, healed, whole and being perfectly loved by Jesus, the one who numbered your days and decided to bring you home,” the tribute says.
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Provincial police were called to Churchill Line about 9:30 am May 9 after an unidentified person suffered life-threatening injuries in a farm accident, Lambton OPP said. They later confirmed a 17-year-old Watford resident died at the scene.
Ontario’s Labor Ministry, which is investigating, has said only that someone was fatally injured after being struck by a vehicle. In a statement last week, the ministry said it could provide no further information during the probe.
A ministry spoke acknowledged an update request Tuesday, but no response was received by press time.
A Lambton OPP spokesperson said Tuesday they’re no longer involved as it’s a ministry probe.
Multiple relatives and friends of Buurma didn’t respond to interview requests by press time, but tributes continued to pour in online, including from two former teachers.
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“My heart is broken. I will always remember the year he was in my Grade 1 class. He will always hold a special place in my heart. Sending lots of love and hugs from Mrs. R.,” Marylou Rumleski/Robins wrote.
“I thoroughly taught Adam, he had enjoyed such a bubbly personality, he was always so willing to help and had such a kind heart. . . Adam loved singing and had a beautiful voice. He loved listening to many Christian artists and knew all the words,” wrote Lora Bos.
Last week’s fatality comes just over a year after a year 18-year-old died after falling into a grain elevator in Aylmer. In 2018, there were two fatal farm accidents in the region, including one on LaSalle Line in Enniskillen Township – not far from Watford – in which a man, 78, died after falling into a storage bin. A few months later, a man, 83, died near Tilbury in a crash involving a tractor and farming equipment.
With files by Paul Morden
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