Tragic Broncos bus crash gets even worse after heartbreaking mistake made
Another family is in mourning after the Saskatchewan coroner’s office in Canada misidentified one of the 15 people killed last week when a semi-trailer slammed into a junior hockey team’s bus.
Originally, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice said 18-year-old Parker Tobin, a member of the Humboldt Broncos, had survived the crash and his teammate, Xavier Labelle, had died.
In reality, Tobin succumbed to his injuries and Labelle survived, ESPN reported.
Tobin was one of 15 people to die in the crash. Fourteen others were injured.
It was not immediately clear how the error was made, but the ministry did apologize for “the misidentification and any confusion created by it.”
“Our condolences go out to the family of Parker Tobin,” the ministry said in a statement. “Unfortunately, Parker is one of the 15 that have lost their lives in this terrible tragedy. Parker had been misidentified and was previously believed to have survived.”
It was a devastating mistake, especially for Tobin’s family, who had previously tweeted that he was alive. According to ministry spokesman Drew Wilby, “this is not easy news for them to digest.”
The Labelles, meanwhile, have also been through a “traumatic” experience, Wilby told reporters on Monday, according to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix.
“To not be at their son’s side right from the start would be incredibly traumatic,” he said.
Xavier Labelle’s father Paul said Saturday, when he thought his son was dead, that the family was “numb right now.” His wife added that they were all “devastated.”
Upon hearing that Xavier had survived though, there was obvious relief. “All I can say is miracles do exist,” Xavier’s brother Isaac wrote on Facebook, while also expressing his “deepest condolences” to the Tobin family.
In light of the misidentification, many people have said how sorry they feel for both families.
“At this point, I just want to reach out and support the families,” said Broncos club president Kevin Garinger.
Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench called the error “an unfortunate mistake” and said it’s “hard to comprehend” something like that happening.
Moreover, former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy, an alumni of the Swift Current Broncos — who lost four players in a 1986 bus crash — said the news is “tough on both” families.
“What I know in these types of situations, what we can’t do is we can’t start pointing fingers. We have to stick together,” Kennedy said. “I think from what I saw (Sunday) and what I learned (Sunday) is everybody that I’ve met here is trying to do the best they can,” he added.
In the face of such a horrifying tragedy, people from all around the world have come together to show support for the families of the crash victims.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $3.7 million for funeral expenses and to help families with whatever they need as they mourn.
What’s more, as noted by USA Today, people are leaving their hockey sticks outside their doors to honor the lives that were lost.
https://twitter.com/BauerHockeyUK/status/983286173870317568
In remembrance of the victims of the terrible tragedy involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team, hockey players across the world are putting their sticks out on their porches with lights left on. #putyoursticksout#PrayersForHumboldt #HockeyIsFamily pic.twitter.com/jMXPZgM8aZ
— Jevey (@CoachDaddy22) April 9, 2018
Among the dead were Humboldt Broncos coach Darcy Haugan, team captain Logan Schatz and radio announcer Tyler Bieber, according to The Associated Press.
The victims also included Jaxon Joseph, the son of former NHL player Chris Joseph, forwards Logan Hunter and Evan Thomas, and defensemen Stephen Wack and Adam Herold.
Team statistician Brody Hinz and assistant Mark Cross lost their lives as well, as did Glen Doerksen, who drove the bus.
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