Multiple casualties reported after junior hockey team’s bus collides with 18-wheeler
In a horrible tragedy, 14 people on a Canadian junior hockey team died Friday night when the team bus was hit by an 18-wheel truck.
The bus was carrying players and coaches on the Humboldt Broncos junior league team, which plays in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The team was traveling to Nipawin for a playoff game when it was hit by the truck.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that 28 people were on the bus, including the driver, reported the Globe and Mail.
The RCMP said 14 died while the other 14 were taken to hospital. Three of those taken to the hospital were in critical condition, said the Globe and Mail.
UPDATE: RCMP in Sask. are confirming fatalities. We're expecting an update soon. Here's the statement from police. pic.twitter.com/ujXMDoxCUw
— CityNews Vancouver (@CityNewsVAN) April 7, 2018
The crash happened in Tisdale, just north of Regina, at about 5 p.m. local time.
The team released a statement:
“The Humboldt Broncos organization has experienced incredible tragedy. While en route to Nipawin, the Broncos bus was involved in a terrible accident which has resulted in multiple fatalities and serious injuries.”
Crash of hockey team's bus leaves at least 14 dead, police say https://t.co/OkzoRTOAo9
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 7, 2018
“Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the families of our staff and athletes as well as to all who have been impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Broncos family is in shock as we try to come to grips with our incredible loss,” Broncos President Kevin Garinger said.
“It’s one of the hardest days of my life,″ Garinger later told the Globe and Mail. “There have been multiple fatalities … our whole community is in shock, we are grieving and we will continue to grieve throughout this ordeal as we try to work toward supporting each other.”
The team consists of players between the ages of 16 and 21 years old. Authorities have not provided any further details.
”We don’t know who has passed and we don’t expect to know right away,″ Garinger said, according to the Globe and Mail.
This incredibly tragic event has devastated the nation and the sports world.
I cannot imagine what these parents are going through, and my heart goes out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, in the Humboldt community and beyond. https://t.co/2cIn2CTy08
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 7, 2018
“I cannot imagine what these parents are going through, and my heart goes out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, in the Humboldt community and beyond,” said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Twitter.
Our hearts are heavy this morning. The Boston Bruins send our thoughts and deepest condolences to the Humboldt Broncos, their families, and the entire Humboldt community.
The hockey world is with you during this difficult time.
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 7, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Humboldt Broncos organization and the families impacted by today's tragic news.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 7, 2018
The Nipawin Apostolic Church has opened its doors to serve the community as it copes with the loss.
Our prayers go out for the victims and their families.
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