Emergency responders have successfully located and retrieved the deceased body of a Prince Edward Island resident following a workplace incident at an oilsands mine near Fort McMurray, Alberta, in January. The individual, identified as Kenneth Joseph MacAulay, 66 years old from Souris, P.E.I., was operating heavy equipment at Suncor Energy’s Fort Hills site on January 13, 2026, when the machinery sank into the muskeg.
According to a statement from MacAulay’s family to CBC News, they were informed on Tuesday that his body had been recovered. Suncor Energy’s spokesperson, Tara Weber, mentioned that the recovery process has been ongoing since the incident, emphasizing the complexity of the operation and the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of all response personnel involved.
In a heartfelt statement to CBC News, MacAulay’s wife and two stepdaughters praised him as a devoted family man, loyal friend, and respected volunteer within the Alcoholics Anonymous community. Expressing gratitude towards the emergency workers, the family believes that the recovery will aid in bringing closure to MacAulay’s loved ones and community.
While the family continues to mourn the loss, they are comforted by the return of MacAulay to his cherished home. The cause of the accident is under investigation by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety, with no charges filed as of now. Tragically, previous fatalities at the Fort Hills site include the 2019 incident involving Jonathan Murphy and the 2020 deaths of two workers in a collision with a bulldozer.
