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‘We are heartbroken and completely devastated’: Nation grieves after Humboldt crash claims 15

Apr 7, 2018 | 2:23 PM

Waves of support continue to pour in after the Humboldt Broncos team bus collided with a semi-truck, killing 15 and injuring 14 players and staff members.

As the community and province of Saskatchewan grieves, work has already begun to address the needs of family and friends of the deceased and surviving.

The collision occurred around 5 p.m. on Highway 35, approximately 30 kilometres north of Tisdale near the junction of Highway 335. The Broncos were on their way to Nipawin for game five of their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoff series versus the Hawks.

“We are heartbroken and completely devastated,” Kevin Garinger, president of the Humboldt Broncos, said at a press conference in Humboldt on Saturday. “We will never forget April 6, 2018. We will never forget the members of our Broncos family who were taken from us and who were injured.”

SJHL president Bill Chow echoed Garinger’s sentiments, adding that whatever is needed in the way of supports for team members will be taken care of.

“I don’t have a lot to say other than our worst nightmare has happened,” Chow said after a long pause to collect himself.

Roughly 250 community members attended the press conference to hear the latest updates. Garinger advised members of the public to access mental health counselling which has been made available at the town’s uniplex. A vigil has been scheduled at the same location on Sunday.

City of Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench said while this is a time of adversity, it is also a time for community members to come together.

“This tragedy has hit a number of people. I think everyone can relate to this experience. Throughout Canada we see teams going out into the Canadian winters on buses all the times. It’s always a thought in parents minds about what can happen and unfortunately it has happened,” he said. “There is no playbook on what to do in cases like this. We’re asking for everyone’s support and consideration in the coming days, months and years it’s going to take us to get through it. But we will get through it.

“I’m asking everyone here to stick together, to support each other to do what you can for anyone that is hurting in this time of grief. Don’t be afraid to reach out.”

Muench said condolences have poured in from everywhere following the crash. Earlier today he said he spoke to Premier Scott Moe and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau via telephone. He said Trudeau informed him many international leaders have contacted the Prime Ministers’ office to extend their sorrows.

RCMP investigation ongoing, may take a while

Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki with the RCMP’s F Division said the investigation into the crash remains very preliminary, adding it will take some time before Mounties can provide a comprehensive update.

“Due to the large amount of evidence, information and victims, this work will take some time,” he said.

Zablocki could not confirm the cause of the crash or whether there was a criminal element, but did say the driver of the tractor trailer that collided with the bus did not sustain any injuries. He was taken into custody immediately following the crash but has since been released. 

He said the number of Mounties and resources which responded to this incident is “unprecedented” in the province’s history.

The Canadian Press has more on the ongoing RCMP investigation here

Health authority extending support for mental health

The CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Scott Livingstone, extended his condolences and support for the team members’ families.

I want to offer our condolences to the family members, the Humboldt Broncos, City of Humboldt, and all of those who have lost a loved one in the tragic bus accident that occurred last night,” he said in a statement. “ We are also thinking of those injured in the accident and the family members supporting them. Our thoughts are with them in this difficult time.”

Livingston said many emergency personnel responded to the call which involved multiple patients suffering from serious injuries. Mental health support has also been made available.

 “The Saskatchewan Health Authority has sent counsellors to various affected sites to provide support. We will continue to work with community leaders and community partners to determine what resources are required for grief counselling,” Livingston said. “This includes extending mental health supports to the first responders who were on site for the accident.”

Humboldt Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan along with players Adam Herold and Logan Schatz have been identified as three of the 15 victims.

Kelly Schatz, Logan’s father, told The Canadian Press his 20-year-old son played for the Broncos for just over four years and had served as team captain for the past two-and-a-half years.

He says the family is seeking solace in one another.

“It’s hard,” Kelly Schatz said. “I’ve got four other kids and they’re here, which is nice.”

STARS Air Ambulance confirmed there were four flight missions last night to the scene.

Last night family members gathered at the Nipawin Apostolic Church as per RCMP request where many heartbroken families learned whether their loved one was killed or injured in the crash. Pastor Jordan Gadsby said more than 100 people gathered at the church — including parents and grandparents of the players who were on the bus.

paNOW’s Jeff D’Andrea was at the scene, saying,”I have never seen so many emergency vehicles in such a close proximity before.”

D’Andrea has covered hockey in and around Prince Albert for over seven years and knows a number of names on the roster who could have been on the bus.

“You look through the roster and you just kind of think, I don’t know, it is not a good thing to look at or imagine,” he said.

D’Andrea also stopped by the church where families were gathering. He said there was a strong sense of support for one another.

“The organizers painted the picture that everyone was coming together and looking for answers and looking for peace as well,” he added.

Support and prayers pour in

Soon after the news broke, words of support and prayers rolled in from across North America from those both in and outside of the hockey world.

“Words can not describe the loss that we feel tonight,” Premier Scott Moe wrote on Twitter. “From a grieving province, thank you to first responders and medical professionals for courageous response under the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Tonight, we must all pray for these families.”

Former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy, who lost four teammates in 1986 when a bus carrying the Swift Current Broncos crashed, also weighed in.

A crowdfunding campaign to help victims and families was launched Friday night and has raised over $1.16 million as of 2 p.m. Saturday.

Humboldt resident Sylvie Kellington said she was shocked to learn of the crash Friday night. Kellington said she spoke with friends about how she could help and started the GoFundMe page despite having no personal connection to any of the players.

“We’re a really small community, and all of us here in Humboldt are definitely somehow connected to the team,” Kellington told paNOW.

Kellington said she hopes the funds ease some of the financial burden placed upon the families of the victims. She said the funds raised will be given directly to the Broncos’ management, in order to ensure all of the money reaches the families.

 

— With files from The Canadian Press, CKOM, Jeff D’Andrea, Glynn Brothen, Taylor MacPherson

 

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