Heartbroken and completely devastated’: 15 dead in Humboldt Broncos bus crash

   




   

     The head coach, captain and play-by-play announcer of the Humboldt Broncos are among the confirmed dead after 15 people were killed in a crash on Highway 35 in Saskatchewan on Friday.The crash involved a semi-truck and the team bus of the Humboldt Broncos, a hockey team that competes in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
      “We are heartbroken and completely devastated by the tragedy that occurred yesterday,” said Broncos president Kevin Garinger.Nipawin RCMP said the collision happened about 30 kilometres north of Tisdale, near the junction of Highway 335.
Police said there were 29 people on the bus, including the driver. Fifteen people are in hospital, some with injuries described as “critical.”
      Curtis Zablocki, Saskatchewan RCMP assistant commissioner, said it is too early in the investigation to determine what happened.
Tributes for the victims are pouring in at the local arena, where the Broncos normally play.
In addition, local clergy have planned a vigil on Sunday night to honour the deceased.
The names of multiple people killed in the crash have been confirmed.
      Christina George-Haugan, the wife of head coach Darcy Haugan, confirmed his death to the Canadian Press.
Logan Schatz, who played with the Broncos for just over four years and served as team captain for the past two-and-a-half years; Jaxon Joseph, the son of former Edmonton Oiler Chris Joseph; and Stephen Wack were also killed in the crash, along with Broncos play-by-play announcer Tyler Bieber.
       “Our immediate priority remains on meeting the needs of our athletes, families and friends. Everything about this tragedy is unprecedented and it’s overwhelming,” Garinger said.
SJHL president Bill Chow broke down in tears as he called the crash “the worst nightmare that could happen.”
.   Nipawin RCMP said the collision happened about 30 kilometres north of Tisdale, near the junction of Highway 335.
Police said there were 29 people on the bus, including the driver. Fifteen people are in hospital, some with injuries described as “critical.”
       Curtis Zablocki, Saskatchewan RCMP assistant commissioner, said it is too early in the investigation to determine what happened.
“Due to the large amount of evidence, information and the number of victims, this work will take some time,” Zablocki said.
“It’s too early to comment on the cause of the collision.
         We will continue to update.”Zablocki said the driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the crash.
Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench said the tragedy is a “dark moment for our city and the community.”“Throughout Canada, we see teams going out into the Canadian winters on buses all the time. It’s a thought in parents’ minds about what could happen — and unfortunately it has happened.
“There is no playbook on what to do in cases like this and we’re asking for everyone’s support and consideration in the coming days and weeks and months and years that it’s going to take to get through this.”
     A crisis and counselling centre has been set up at the Humboldt Uniplex Convention Centre.
Garinger said the team includes players from the Edmonton area, Slave Lake and Airdrie in Alberta, and from Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“While we are stunned and grieving over this incomprehensible situation, we know this is a moment to come together and support, lean on one another,” Garinger said.

“We will persevere and we will honour the Broncos who were lost.”

      A photo of barricade on Highway 35 north of Tisdale near where a hockey team’s bus was involved in a crash on April 6, 2018. Crews on scene were rerouting traffic.The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior ‘A’ hockey league under Hockey Canada, and is open to North American-born players between the age of 16 and 20.
      Chow said it is too early to comment on how the league will proceed with its playoffs.
The Broncos were to play the Nipawin Hawks on Friday in a semifinal game.
“We will have conversations as to what the Humboldt Broncos want to do,” Chow said.
“We will then have discussions with our governors of the league and whatever decision we make, we’re going to do what we think is in the best interests of the league.”
      The Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos tweeted their condolences.
“Humboldt Broncos weighing heavy in our hearts and minds tonight,” the team said on social media.Four members of the Swift Current Broncos were killed in a 1986 bus crash in Saskatchewan.
Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy, one of the players on that bus in 1986, also tweeted a message of support.
“Sending all my thoughts and prayers to those impacted with the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.”

Sending all my thoughts and prayers to those impacted with the @HumboltBroncos bus crash.
Pls don't share any unconfirmed information. These kids families and friends
Are all searching for the correct info.#PrayersForHumboldt

— Sheldon Kennedy (@ShelKenn)April 7, 2018

“[It hits] too close to home,” Swift Current Broncos coach Manny Viveiros said after his team played the Moose Jaw Warriors in a WHL playoff game Friday night.
“It’s just an absolute tragedy. I know it affects some of the kids in our room; it affects everybody in the hockey community.

“Those could have been our kids.”

A photo of the Humboldt Broncos taken on Feb. 27, 2018.
Supplied

Warriors coach Tim Hunter said his “thoughts and prayers are with those families and players.”
Hunter said his staff heard about the crash just before the game but didn’t mention it to the players right away. He said they found out afterwards.
“You remember back to the Swift Current Broncos accident and all the people affected by that,” he said, before noting how social media has changed how people react to tragedies.
“You go on Twitter, the modern age… It’s just staggering the amount of people who are sending out well wishes and thoughts and prayers to the families and players… The hockey community is a very tight community and everybody is thinking about those people.”