Port au Port West man charged with attempted murder

A man from Port au Port West has been charged with attempted murder following an incident that left a local snowmobiler seriously injured. Chad Hickey was snowmobiling across Gravels Pond on February 21 when he sustained head injuries, but details about how he was hurt are still unclear. The accused, 66-year-old Wayne Harold Hynes, was arrested at his home on March 16 by the RCMP Major Crime Unit. Police had previously searched Hynes's home in February and took away several items for their investigation. He appeared in court via teleconference on March 17, where he was formally charged and taken into custody. Hynes is scheduled to appear in court again on March 18. Chad's family expressed relief over the charges. His father, Renny Hickey, hopes Hynes will not be released on bail. Chad, who is 26, is still recovering in St. John's after two surgeries to treat his injuries. He remembers feeling stunned and disoriented before falling off his snowmobile, initially believing he had broken his neck. While Chad's recovery is ongoing, he is making progress. He is currently unable to move his left arm but can walk with assistance. He is eager to return to normal activities, especially with his fiancée expecting their first child soon. Renny believes Chad is a miracle and is optimistic about his son's recovery and future fishing trips.