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Canada Pulls Together Following Junior Hockey Team Bus Crash Tragedy

Canada Pulls Together Following Junior Hockey Team Bus Crash Tragedy

Fifteen people have died following the horror crash which involved a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has released a poignant statement as the country mourns those who died when a bus carrying a junior hockey team collided with a truck.

Fifteen people have died following the horror crash, which involved a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team - 29 people are reported to have been on board including the driver, players and coaches. It was initially reported that 14 had died, however this has now risen to 15. Fourteen more were injured.

PA

In the statement, the PM said: "An entire country is in shock and mourning today as we learn more about the tragic bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos that claimed the lives of 14 people, and injured many more.

"We are heartbroken knowing many of those we lost had their entire lives in front of them. We grieve with those facing news no parent or family should ever have to face. And our hearts go out to the community that has lost teammates, coaches, friends, and mentors."

Canadians have rallied round the victims' families, as a GoFundMe page has been launched with $2.9 million (£1.6m) raised in less than 48 hours.

At a blood clinic in Saskatoon, where the incident happened, there was a three-hour wait to donate as people rushed out to help, CTV reported.

Humboldt mayor Rob Muench in the Broncos team jersey.
PA

So far, a number of victims have been named by family and friends including head coach Darcy Haugan, team captain Logan Schatz, 20, radio announcer Tyler Bieber, Stephen Wack, 21, Jaxon Joseph, 20, Logan Hunter, 18 and 16-year-old Adam Herold.

Twenty-one-year-old Logan Boulet was reported to have been taken off life support yesterday - his family say his organs were donated.

US president Donald Trump has also given his condolences, writing on Twitter:

Mayor of Humboldt Rob Muench said: "It's overwhelming. It's been tough on everybody. We're a small community; some of those kids have been on the team for a number of years. A lot grew up in the community and everybody knows each other.

"Hockey was what brought us all together and we had two communities that were rivals in the rink. To find out that it was their first responders that aided our boys just warms your heart."

One parent shared a heart-wrenching image of his son Derek Patter holding hands with two of his team mates while lying in hospital.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said: "To the City of Humboldt, the entire Broncos organisation, 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."

Sources: CTV; CBC

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, Canada