Edmonton student killed in France died jumping out of truck's path

On the beach-front promenade that night, Mykhaylo Bazelevskyy and his friends heard the truck behind them and jumped out of the way.

The Edmonton university student, known as "Misha," died when he landed on the rocks below.

In a post written in Ukrainian on the Russian social media site VK, his friend Vlad Kostiuk spoke about the horrific moment the truck hit the crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France.

I was lucky, I'm alive, unlike other people that were walking with me.- Vlad Kostiuk

Kostiuk was with a group of eight people, including Bazelevskyy, enjoying the celebration. They were headed towards the old part of the city when they heard a noise and turned to see the truck. 

"Seven of us managed to get off at the last moment in the direction of the beach," Kosiuk wrote in an English translation of his post. "One person [did] not have time, and died on the spot under the wheels of the truck."

To save themselves, the rest of the group jumped off the promenade to escape the truck. 

"Of the seven people who [fell] on the rocks, all fared differently. My friend Misha died from the fall, one guy [is] in a coma, another hurt his back."

Kostiuk, a University of California student who was a participant in the same program as Bazelevskyy, suffered a contusion and a deep cut on his leg and needed surgery. 

​"I was lucky, I'm alive, ​unlike other people that were walking with me," Kosiuk wrote.

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Bazelevskyy was listed as missing for several days after the attack, which killed 84 people on July 14. His family confirmed his death late Tuesday to MacEwan University, the university said in a news release.

Bazelevskyy, 22, was in Nice for a three-week innovation program at the European Innovation Academy.

"There is no greater loss to a university than a student who has so much life and promise ahead of him," said MacEwan president David Atkinson.

"I know that everyone joins me in expressing our profound sympathy to Misha's family at this terrible time," said MacEwan president David Atkinson. "Misha will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

Bazelevskyy was born in Ukraine. He had permanent resident status in Canada and was travelling on a Ukrainian passport.

Feeling of safety 'shattered'

Premier Rachel Notley offered her condolences to Bazelevskyy's family and friends. "The young man had every right to believe that he was safe," Notley said in a statement.

"Tragically, that feeling of safety was shattered for this innocent student, and for everyone in Nice, and in France."

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson also issued a statement.

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of MacEwan student Mykhaylo Bazelevskyy as a result of the deadly attacks in Nice, France," Iveson said. 

"On behalf of my council colleagues and all Edmontonians, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Mykhaylo's family and to the MacEwan University community of which he was very much a part."

MacEwan University is offering free counselling to students and staff who need it.