A toddler was killed after being struck by a forklift on the Green Acres Hutterite colony near Wawanesa, in south-western Manitoba.

The Winnipeg Sun reported the 16-month-old boy was wandering outside the colony's community kitchen when he was hit by a forklift around 7pm.

Rachel Waldner, the boy's grandmother, said a forklift had been emptying large garbage bins outside the kitchen when it appeared to hit the child while turning to leave the area.

Waldner said the child's father was headed for the kitchen and thought the boy was following after him, but he must have turned in another direction.

The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have ruled the incident an accident but are continuing to investigate.

According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, the Hutterites are a religious sect originating from radical reformation in the 16th century. The Hutterites live in rural communities and depend on farming for their income.