Paris, 2022-04-05 16:59:00. Boris Pruitt dies: Military commander killed after being hit by car in Hamilton
Prominent Canadian conductor and artistic director Boris Pruitt has been killed in an alleged traumatic accident in Hamilton, Ont. Tuesday.
“Boris was tragically killed earlier today when he was hit by a car in Hamilton,” Classic Orchester de Montreal (OCM) said in a statement Tuesday night.
Police said they received a report of a car being driven on the wrong side of the road on Mount Hamilton after 10 a.m.
Twenty minutes later, police said, the car hit a pedestrian while he was in the Park Avenue South area of Markland Street, just south of the downtown core.
The 78-year-old, now identified as Pruitt, was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he was later pronounced dead.
Police claim that the driver fled the scene after the accident, but was arrested a short distance away.
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Officers tracked the car and tried to stop it, according to the county’s special investigations unit, which is investigating the arrest. The Special Investigation Unit said that the suspected car then collided with several police cars.
Hamilton Police said three officers and the driver were injured during the arrest and taken to hospital.
“Beloved Maestro”
Tributes began pouring in on Tuesday evening after Prut was identified as the victim injured in the initial collision.
“The entire OCM family is in disbelief,” the orchestra’s statement read. “Boris Pruitt was the beating heart of the Orchester Classique de Montréal, a renowned leader in the world of classical music in North America and beyond, a mentor to countless young musicians, and a very dear friend to many.”
“So his untimely death leaves a deep void in our musical community, and a deep sadness in our personal lives.”
In a statement released late Tuesday, Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger offered his condolences to Prutt’s family and called him “beloved maestro.”
“Boris was not only a titan in the world of classical music, but a titan of Hamilton’s promotion and construction, and his efforts over the decades have helped lift our society to new heights,” Eisenberger said in the statement.
He noted that Brott was the founder of the Brott Music Festival in Hamilton and was also an Officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Order of Ontario who performed for the monarchy and the Pope.
“Hamiltoni and the People’s Man,” Eisenberger recalls once when the conductor brought classical music to the townspeople with an orchestra performance held at the Duvasco Steelworks. He remembered that Brott also used to bring thousands of school kids to his annual concert with performances planned just for them, and organized online concerts to keep up morale during the COVID-19 lockdowns. .
Recently he was planning a useful concert for Ukrainians suffering from the Russian invasion.
“Boris loved and was committed to Hamilton and her people, and we loved him even more. It was this mutual love that led to Boris being elected as one of the greatest Hamiltonians of all time.”
According to OCM, Brott left behind his wife Ardyth and three children Ben, Alexandra and David.
I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a visionary Canadian conductor, Boris Pruitt. From the National Academy Orchestra of Canada to the Brott Music Festival and beyond, he has shared his love for music with #HamOnt and the world.
Thinking of Ardith and family as they mourn this loss.
– Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) April 5, 2022
We are devastated by the sudden death of Maestro Boris Pruit. His warmth as a human being and his passion for music have been an inspiration to all of us. Our deepest condolences to his family, wife Ardith and his children.
– Hamilton Music Group (@HamMusicCollect) Apr 6, 2022
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