Duluth News Tribune
SASKATCHEWAN, Canada — At least 14 people are dead and 14 others injured after a bus carrying a junior hockey team in Saskatchewan collided with a semi on Friday, authorities said.
The crash involving the Humboldt Broncos, a team in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, happened at about 5 p.m. near Tisdale, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said. The team was on its way to a SJHL semifinal playoff game against Nipawin.
The CBC reported that the RCMP had confirmed at least 14 fatalities and 14 injuries. An official with the Nipawin team told the Canadian Press that the Broncos’ bus was T-boned by the semi.
“It’s disbelief. It’s shock. The deepest grief that you can ever imagine,” Kevin Garinger, the Humboldt Broncos’ team president, told the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. “Our thoughts and prayers — everything we have in terms of our energy is directed toward trying to deal with, cope with the loss that’s occurred here.”
The team’s roster shows that the Broncos’ players range in age from 16 to 21, and are from Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.
“Words can not describe the loss that we feel tonight. The news I have heard is difficult to comprehend,” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said in a statement posted to Twitter on Friday night.
“Our province has always been one community. At our core, we are one small town, neighbours, friends and families. To the City of Humboldt, the entire Broncos organization, and the families impacted by this tragedy, please know you are in Saskatchewan’s hearts. From a grieving province, thank you to every one of the first responders and medical professionals for your courageous response under the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Tonight, we all must pray for these families.”
A GoFundMe online fundraiser has been established for the players, coaches and their families. It had raised more than $55,000 in its first 10 hours.
Copyright 2018 Duluth News Tribune
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