Brit actor shares ‘incredible sadness’ after wife killed when car ploughed into crowd at Vancouver street festival
A British actor has expressed his “incredible sadness” after his “larger than life” wife was killed when a car ploughed into crowds in Vancouver.
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Beloved Hallmark star Noel Johansen was at the Lapu Lapu festival with his family when an SUV driver left 11 people dead after smashing into the crowd.
Johansen, known for his roles in The Good Doctor and Fargo, paid tribute to his wife Jenifer, as he addressed a group of mourners at a vigil for the victims.
The pair had been celebrating alongside their daughter Darby, 7, and their 15-year-old son Ford.
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Jenifer, a costume designer, was standing just behind her husband and children when the car drove into the crowds just before 8:15pm on Saturday.
Paying tribute to his wife, Johansen said: "She never celebrated herself in her life.
"She never thought of herself; she thought of herself as small in terms of the reach.
"And I can tell you she was larger than life for any of you who know her."
The couple’s children escaped the harrowing incident with just minor bruises.
"It hit us before we knew,” the London-based actor continued.
“I was falling in slow motion trying to save my head from smashing in the pavement.”
A GoFundMe has been set up in Jenifer’s honour in the wake of her death, raising £92,000 for the family so far.
The page reads: "Jen was a one-of-a-kind. She was an incredibly thoughtful, warm, caring, smart, stylish, artistic woman.
"A gifted painter, a selfless mother, and a loving wife. She gave the best hugs, was always there to listen without judgement, and had the sweetest voice."
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder in the early hours of Monday morning following the horror incident.
Lo remains in custody after appearing in court on Sunday.
Police have warned the death toll could yet rise after crowds celebrating Filipino culture were mown down on Saturday night.
Authorities confirmed they're confident the incident was not an act of terrorism.
Acting police chief, Steve Rai, said the victims are aged between five and 65, at a press conference.
He added dozens more have been injured, some critically, and some who have not yet been identified.