There are 24 members of the Humboldt Broncos, with members of the team ranging in age from 16 to 21. (Humboldt Broncos/Twitter)
A fatal collision between a hockey team’s tour bus and a semi-trailer about 30 kilometres north of Tisdale, Sask. has left 15 dead, and 14 injured.
The Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team was on their way to Nipawin for Game 5 of the SJHL semifinal series when the fatal collision took place around 5 p.m. on Friday.
RCMP said that there were 29 people on the bus at the time of the crash, including the driver, three of the injuries are critical.
The 15th death was confirmed by officials Saturday afternoon, raising the death toll from 14 earlier in the day
Some are calling the incident Canada’s biggest sports tragedy.
The team’s head coach Darcy Haugan, along with Tyler Bieber, who worked with Humboldt radio station 107.5 Bolt FM have both been confirmed dead.
Humboldt Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan was killed in the collision. (Twitter/@DebbieJayneC)
A GoFundMe page raising money for families impacted by the crash has reached $1.5 million Saturday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the accident.
Mounties are still investigating the cause of the crash, Tom Straschnitzki, the father of Ryan Straschnitzki who is one of the players injured in the crash told CBC news that his son was in the middle of the bus and all he remembered was waking up to paramedics taking him off the bus, and that the semi hit the front of the vehicle.
The driver of the semi was not injured and was taken into custody following the collision, he has since been released and is now receiving mental health supports.
One parent posted pictures of three of the team members in hospital. Photo courtesy of @rjpatter on twitter.
The home of the team at the Elger Petersen Arena in the eastern Saskatchewan town had flowers placed on the stairs in the rink stands Saturday morning, the railings are wrapped in yellow and green ribbon to honour the team.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released an official statement Saturday afternoon
“We are heartbroken knowing many of those we lost had their entire lives in front of them. We grieve with those facing news no parent or family should ever have to face. And our hearts go out to the community that has lost teammates, coaches, friends, and mentors.” said the release.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare. No one should ever have to see their child leave to play the sport they love and never come back.
“Words can not describe the loss that we feel tonight,” wrote Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in a Facebook post. “To the City of Humboldt, the entire Broncos organization, and the families impacted by this tragedy, please know you are in Saskatchewan’s hearts.”
The story has now made international headlines.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock had tears in his eyes Saturday morning when he opened his pre-game news conference by speaking about Friday’s horrific bus crash
Parents and family of individuals seeking information about their family members who may have been in this collision can call 306-752-8700.
With files from the CBC and The Canadian Press
CHEK News
