Inquiry into Burton Winters death taken 'with a grain of salt,' says family
The family of Burton Winters, a Labrador teenager who died in 2012 after abandoning his snowmobile, says they are taking an announcement of an inquiry into search and rescue "with a grain of salt."
Winters, 14, left his snowmobile after it became stuck in snow and sea ice about 10 kilometres outside Makkovik in January 2012. He walked another 19 kilometres before he died.
Earlier this week, Justice and Public Safety Minister Andrew Parsons announced the Liberal government would launch an inquiry into search and rescue following the tragedy.
That inquiry would be in addition to two others: the shooting death of Don Dunphy and the Humber Valley Paving contract.
Rod and Natalie Jacque, Winters' father and step-mother, said in a statement to CBC's Labrador Morning they were pleased with the announcement, but cautious..
"After hearing the news of the newly-appointed Justice Minister, Andrew Parsons, pushing for the three upcoming inquiries we carefully take statements like this with a grain of salt," read the statement.
"Our hopes are high, however, for improvements regarding all search and rescue protocols within Newfoundland and Labrador. An inquiry is needed for our son."