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A2 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, December 5, 2006 Young man struck by car and killed Local ref suffers A 24-year-old Milton man has suc- cumbed to his injuries after being struck by a car Friday night while he was walking at the side of the road. Police said the man - whose naine hasn't been released - was walking on Fourth Line, south of Britannia Road, at about 5:40 p.m. when he was hit, likely from behind. The driver of the car that struck him, a 36-year-old Mississauga man, called 911 immediately. Responding emergency personnel found the man in a ditch with severe head trauma. Due to strong winds and other weather conditions, the air ambulance couldn't be used so police assisted emergency medical services in an emergency run to the trauma unit at Hamilton General Hospital. Shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday, the young man died with his family at his side, police said. The driver of the car wasn't injured. Fourth Line was closed for about three hours Friday between I ower Base Line and Britannia for the on- scene investigation. Det. Const. Paul Davies of Halton Regional Police said it seems the vic- tim was in his vehicle with his girl- friend when they got into an argument and he got out and started walking at the side of the road - there is no shoulder in that area. Minutes later, he was struck. "It was a dark, dark night and there were high winds," Davies said, adding it's a "desolate" stretch of road. He said it appears the victim's girl- friend drove off looking for the man after he got out, but he had already been hit when she found him. No charges are pending. Police are continuing to investigate. Any witnesses are asked to call the Regional Traffic Bureau at (905) 825- 4777, ext. 5202. fatal heart attack during game Sat. Cochrane remembered as'great guy' By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF With the pain of her family's loss still all-too-fresh Sunday afternoon, Debbie Cochrane tearfully recalled the circum- stances of her husband Brad's return to ref- ereeing hockey "He'd officiated junior in the '80s, and got back into it a few years ago when our oldest son Ryan decided to start refereeing. fie wanted them to do it together." That type of family focus was typical of the 48-year-old Miltonian, who passed away Saturday alternoon - shortly after Brad Cochrane suffering a massive heart attack while he and 16-year-old Ryan were officiating a peewee house-league game at John Tonelli Sports Centre. He was able to skate off the ice but, sadly, be collapsed in the hallway and died shortly thereafter. "His whole life was wrapped up in his kids and sports," explained younger brother Steven. "There wasn't a single person out there who knew him whose life he didn't touch. He always put others ahead of himself." Added Debbie, "He was the nicest person I'd ever met. I learned so much from him. He was my best friend." A father of three - with 14-year-old Jake and 11-year-old Alyson involved in hockey as well - Cochrane is certainly remembered fondly outside family circles as well. Always quick to help out within the local hockey ranks, he coached a lew teams over the years and played a number of supporting roles along the way. "Brad was a hard worker and always had a positive atti- tude," said Tom Gallinger, whos in charge of house-league officials for Milton Minor Hockey "He was just a great guy." Echoing those sentiments was local referee-in-chief Mark Droge: "Brads loyalty and dedication to his family was pres- ent to everyone on the ice. He was a humble and easygoing guy -just an ail-around well-liked person." Visitation will be held at J. Scott Early Funeral Home tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow at 1 p.m., with the funeral to follow at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Kidney Foundation. Steve LeBlanc cai bc reached at sleblaic@haltonîsearch.com. )TOYOTA