Sign up for the battlefordsNOW newsletter

Support pours in following fatal junior hockey bus crash

Apr 6, 2018 | 11:07 PM

After a fatal crash involving a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos SJHL team, messages of support are pouring in from the region, province and world.

The crash occurred at approximately 5 p.m. Friday evening at the intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 335 near Tisdale. RCMP said fatalities and serious injuries occurred when the team’s bus collided with a semi-trailer. The police force said numerous officers and specialized units were dispatched to the scene, but were unable to confirm any details. The bus was carrying the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team to a playoff game against the Nipawin Hawks.

As family, friends and neighbours of the players gather in both communities, there has already been an outpouring of support for those affected.

“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.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a message of condolence to the families of the victims.

“I cannot imagine what these parents are going through,” the prime minister wrote on social media, “and my heart goes out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, in the Humboldt community and beyond.”

Multiple NHL teams have expressed condolences on their official Twitter pages.

Saskatchewan-born former NHL player Theo Fleury also shared his condolences on Twitter, writing “Prayers go out to the Humboldt Broncos and the community for the tragedy. This is such sad news!”

Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback also took to social media, offering his thoughts and prayers to the communities and thanking the emergency workers who responded.

“Our province and country are grieving tonight,” Hoback wrote.

A GoFundMe crowdsourcing campaign has already begun online, and more than $10,000 has been collected for the families of the victims.

 

news@battlefordsnow.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW