Sheep barn roof collapses

A section of the roof of a barn filled with 600 sheep collapsed under the weight of snow Sunday morning in West Prince.

Owner Terry Brink and one of his sons were on the roof shovelling snow when it happened.

"About 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, my oldest son and I were shovelling of the roof. About 10 feet away from us, all of a sudden, whoosh, there it went. It just caved in," Terry Brink said Tuesday.

Brink and his son did not fall through.

About 20 animals were temporarily trapped in the wreckage of the barn, located near Alberton. Three sheep died.

When word of the collapse reached Alberton Baptist Church, the pews emptied quickly as friends and neighbours came to help. Terry Brink was able to get the other animals to safety with their help.

Pastor Ross Morrison said it was great to see neighbours helping one another.

"As awful as it is to see something like this, it's also a wonderful time to show love and support for Terry and Joka," he said. "They're a family that is greatly loved in our church."

Repair will cost thousands

Brink said it will cost thousands to repair his barn. He doesn't have insurance, but he hopes to have the barn repaired in a week or so.

At least three other barns on the Island have collapsed under heavy snow.

A number of roofs on Island businesses have also failed under the weight of snow this winter, including at the Home Hardware store in Tignish and at the Cavendish Agri Services facility in Travellers Rest.