14 dead after bus collides with truck in Canada

International Desk: Fourteen people were killed after a bus carrying a team of young hockey players to a Friday night playoff game in Saskatchewan was hit by a semi-trailer — a crash that sent shockwaves throughout the hockey community in the province and far beyond.

The crash happened near Tisdale, about 300 kilometres north of Regina, prompting several air ambulances to respond and sending victims to multiple hospitals in the region.

The RCMP confirmed early Saturday morning that 28 people were on the bus, including the driver, 14 of whom were killed. The remaining 14 were taken to hospital with a range of injuries, including three in critical condition.

The crash, which involved a bus carrying members of the Humboldt Broncos, brought back memories of another fatal crash, in 1986, in which four members of the Swift Current Broncos were killed.

The Humboldt Broncos were traveling to Nipawin for Game 5 of the teams’ playoff series.

The Broncos’ playoff roster includes two dozen players ranging in age from 18 to 21. Their hometowns are mostly in Saskatchewan or Alberta.

The team released a statement late Friday night that described the crash as an “ incredible tragedy.”

“ Our Broncos family is in shock as we try to come to grips with our incredible loss,” team president Kevin Garinger said in the statement.

The team includes Parker Tobin, an 18-year-old goalie whose hometown is listed at Stoney Plain, Alta.

A Twitter user named Rhonda Clarke Tobin posted on Friday night: “This is one of the hardest posts I have ever had to make. Parker is stable at the moment and being airlifted to Saskatoon hospital. Thank you all for your kind words and messages. Please continue to pray for his Humboldt family.”

Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 7, 2018/Nasim