Other than cropping and a bit of brightening the pictures have not been prettied up. They aren’t artistic but I hope you feel the emotion.
The afternoon of April 6th my cousin and her husband decided to drive to Tisdale. At a stop sign as they waited for a semi unit loaded with peat moss to pass they debated on the direction they should go. Should they take the backroads south or turn right onto the paved road and follow the semi west. They chose to take the backroads.
Earlier that afternoon a junior hockey team in Humboldt loaded up their bus with equipment. The team was headed north on their way to a play-off game. The trip was to be about 2 hours.
They were a close team. They had all dyed their hair blonde for the play-off season. In total 29 people boarded the bus that afternoon.
They were nearing an intersection that had been the scene of a horrific crash in 1997 that claimed 3 adults and 3 children from one family. Three large and three small crosses stand at the intersection.
All seemed normal. They were about a half hour from their destination. The boys were expected to be well dressed so they were preparing for their arrival. Some were putting on dress shirts, some were tying ties, some were listening to music, some were sharing laughter. All anticipating the game.
Suddenly a semi loaded with peat moss heading west ignored the large stop sign and crossed in front of the bus.
Fourteen people died that night. Two died later.
Tyler, the game announcer also a radio announcer was very involved with coaching football and being a Big Brother. He often joined the team on the bus. Coach Darcy was an amazing mentor. He was ‘the coach everybody wanted’. Assistant coach Mark was in his first year with the team. Brody the statistician had just picked up his tux for his upcoming graduation. He had an amazing mind for stats. Driver Glen always had a smile and ready with a story or two. He loved his time with the team. Parker was in his first season with the team. He was a great guy. He was originally misidentified as Xavier. Team captain Adam was the most down to earth and selfless guy on the team. The next week he would have turned 17. Logan H. had a great sense of humour and always a smile on his face. Jaxon was bright and genuine. It was reported he had just told his girlfriend he loved her. Jacob said it would be amazing to bring the championship home. Conner was unassuming and had a quiet sense of humour. Logan S. was chosen for a higher level team however stayed with junior team for the possibility of playing with a college team. Evan had a quiet confidence. Calm, sincere and an awesome sense of humour. He was contemplating a career as an orthopedic surgeon and loved Grey’s Anatomy. Stephen was down-to-earth, loyal and a bright smile that radiated joy. Logan B died the next day. He was very caring and kind-hearted. His organs were donated. Dayna the athletic therapist had a joyful smile, passion and love of sport. She passed away five days later.
Graysen, Brayden, Kaleb, Bryce, Morgan, Matthieu, Xavier, Layne, Derek, Nick, Ryan, Tyler S, Jacob were sent to hospital with various injuries from minor to critical. All survived. Some will have a long road of healing ahead of them.
Today across the road from those 6 crosses two new sets of 16 crosses, built by caring people, stand where a bus carrying a hockey team came to rest.
That day the people on that bus instantly became family…to a small town…to a city…to a province,,,to a country…and to the world.
They shall forever remain in our hearts.