By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter) with files from PANow

Humboldt Broncos bus crash critically injured Lethbridge hockey player

Apr 7, 2018 | 2:22 PM

LETHBRIDGE –  When a pebble is thrown in the water, the ripples go out a long way.  Sometimes the waves are positive and sometimes they’re heartbreaking.
 
Such is the case in the crash of the Humboldt Broncos team bus. 
 
Ripples of devastation have gone out a long way and even reached Lethbridge, as confirmation came from family that Bronco D-man Logan Boulet, who comes from Lethbridge, was among those who lost their lives in Friday (Apr 6) afternoon’s collision in Saskatchewan. It was later reported by the Calgary Herald that Boulet was on life support in order for his family to donate his organs.
 
The bus carrying the SJHL team was T-boned by a semi just before 5:00-pm at the intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 335 near Tisdale. The driver of the semi was not injured and RCMP say he is not in custody, as a collision analyst continues an investigation.
 
STARS Air Ambulance confirmed there were four flight missions Friday night to the scene, as rescue efforts continued into the dark hours.
 
There were 29 people on the bus, as the team headed to a playoff game against the Nipawin Hawks. 
 
At 3:00-pm Saturday, updated information was relayed stating 15 deaths had been confirmed with 14 injured – several of the injured are in critical condition.  Some of those killed include the bus driver, Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan, assistant coach Mark Cross, team captain Logan Schatz, top forward Jaxon Joseph and the team’s play-by-play radio announcer Tyler Bieber. 

The Western Hockey League Swift Current Broncos expressed their condolences.

“Humboldt Broncos weighing heavy in our hearts and minds tonight,” the team said on Twitter. 

Four members of the Swift Current Broncos, which was formerly the Lethbridge Broncos, were killed in a bus crash near Swift Current in 1986.

Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy, who was one of the players on the bus in 1986, also sent a message of support. 

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“We are heartbroken and completely devastated,” Kevin Garinger, president of the Humboldt Broncos, said at a press conference in Humboldt today, April 7. “We will never forget April 6, 2018. We will never forget the members of our Broncos family who were taken from us and who were injured.”

SJHL President Bill Chow echoed Garinger’s sentiments, adding that whatever is needed in the way of supports for team members will be taken care of.

“I don’t have a lot to say other than our worst nightmare has happened,” Chow said after a long pause to collect himself.

Roughly 250 community members attended the conference to hear the latest updates. Garinger advised members of the public to access mental health counselling which has been made available at the uniplex. 

“Our Broncos family is in shock as we try to come to grips with our incredible loss.”

City of Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench said condolences have poured in from everywhere following the crash. Earlier today he said he spoke to Premier Scott Moe and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau via telephone. He said Trudeau informed him many international leaders have contacted the Prime Minister’s office to extend their sorrows.  

U.S President Donald Trump also took to Twitter: “Just spoke to @JustinTrudeau to pay my highest respect and condolences to the families of the terrible Humboldt Team tragedy. May God be with them all!”

Condolences have also come from the University of Lethbridge, where Boulet was a student.

Kelly Schatz, father of Logan Schatz, told the Canadian Press his 20-year-old son played for the Broncos for just over four years and had served as team captain for the past two-and-a-half years.

He says the family is seeking solace in one another.

“It’s hard,” Kelly Schatz said. “I’ve got four other kids and they’re here, which is nice.”

Early Saturday morning, the father of Derek Patter, who survived the crash, shared an image of his son and two others “bonding and healing” in hospital.

A crowdfunding campaign to help victims and families was launched Friday night and has raised over $1M as of 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Humboldt resident Sylvie Kellington said she was shocked to learn of the crash Friday night. Kellington said she spoke with friends about how she could help and started the GoFundMe page despite having no personal connection to any of the players.

“We’re a really small community, and all of us here in Humboldt are definitely somehow connected to the team,” Kellington told paNOW.

Kellington said she hopes the funds ease some of the financial burden placed upon the families of the victims. She said the funds raised will be given directly to the Broncos’ management, in order to ensure all of the money reaches the families.

RCMP investigation continues:

Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki with the RCMP’s F Division said the investigation into the crash remains very preliminary, adding it will take some time before Mounties can provide a comprehensive update.

“Due to the large amount of evidence, information and victims, this work will take some time,” he said. Zablocki could not confirm the cause of the crash or whether there was a criminal element, but did say the driver of the tractor trailer that collided with the bus did not sustain any injuries.

The commanding officer said the number of Mounties and resources which responded to this incident is “unprecedented” in the province’s history.