As I write this it has been exactly 7 days since that horrible day that will go down in history that people across the country and dare I say the world will never forget. I am talking about how at approximately 5pm on April 6, 2017 a semi truck plowed through the intersection of Hwy 35 and Hwy 335 when he was on the secondary road of Hwy 335. There was a stop sign with a red flashing light above it. This intersection was an important one because previously a family of 6 was killed at it too and this is why the flashing light on the stop sign was erected.

As of this writing the investigation is out on who was at fault. As I look at the carnage in the photos that were taken, the semi must have been going at a fast speed and so must have the bus to have the vehicles end up on the other side of Hwy 35 with the 2 trailers the semi was carrying flipped on it’s top and for the bus roof to be sheered right off and the front of the bus to be totally demolished. This speed the semi was travelling at was not possible if he had stopped at the stop sign and gearing up to cross Hwy 35. But I will wait for the RCMP report to know exactly what happened.

Photo Credit: Jonathan-Hayward(Canadian-Press)

My thoughts this past week was what it was like on the bus that held the Humboldt Broncos who were on their way to game 5 in Nipiwin of the playoffs with the Nipiwin Hawks after being down 3-1 in the games previous.

Many years ago I was the photographer for the Battleford North Stars, another SJHL team, for 3 years. I was fortunate to be travelling on the team bus one game during the playoffs. The team bus atmosphere was much like that of the Broncos and every other hockey team that uses a bus to transport players from one rink to the other. I was able to witness what it was like to be on a team bus.

The Humboldt Broncos was a team that the North Stars played often throughout the hockey season as per the SJHL schedule. They were a team that the North Star fans jeered and booed. But a tragedy like this is one that unites all the SJHL teams. I think people feel it could have easily happened to any team in the SJHL or any hockey team across Canada. The teams travel on buses for most of their hockey season. It is where they spend a lot of their time. They connect with each other and form a strong bond during this time. Just like any family there are different personalities and the same is found within the team. It just seems to work and everyone finds their place in the team.

Broncos-BW-team-photo- Humboldt twitter feed

The atmosphere on the bus is definitely one of brotherhood. They look out for each other in every aspect of each others lives. Riding on a team bus there is a hierarchy though. In the front of the bus sit the Coaches, Trainer, Radio announcer, or any other personnel such as I was as the photographer. Next up is the Rookies, then the 2^ndyear players and then the 3^rdyear players sit near the back of the bus. The players also have to earn the right to sit where they sit on the bus. Some spread out on 2 seats or across the aisle on to the other seat if they were wanting to sleep. Sometimes a movie is brought and played on the TV.

Because the Broncos were only 20 minutes out of Nipiwin I imagine the players were standing up and changing into their suits if they hadn’t already. The adrenaline would be flowing as they imagined the game ahead of them. The plays they have practiced time and time again and will use to try to crack the loss they suffered the game played previously. Some would be finishing up their card games and/or texting the last words to their girlfriends or family members.

At about this time the bus driver sees the semi approach at the last moment and says “Whoa” and the next thing the survivors remember is laying on the cold ground surrounded by the wreckage of both vehicles and by other members who where on the bus. They saw the different members of their team all bloodied and moaning. They are wondering about their team mates and coaches and supporting personnel such as the Trainer, Radio announcer and statistician who were sitting in front of the bus and the fact the front of the bus is no where to be seen.

When the bus left Humboldt to make the 197 km (2 hour roughly) trip, over a vast barren wintry prairie and carrying 29 people, never did they imagine that when they arrived at the Hwy 35 & Hwy 335 junction in a split second that their lives and those of their families would be changed forever

My heart broke when I read about the Billet mom who spoke about the 3 boys who died in the crash and how their house is deafening quiet now that they are gone. Friends of mine are billets and when they allow these boys come into their home they are treated just like a member of the family. Their kids get attached to their billets as if they were brothers. So like any family that are grieving for the loss of their son, these Billets’ families are too.

These have been my thoughts this last week. Like a lot of people around the world this tragedy has been a shock to myself and I find I want to read every news report that comes on my news feed. I participated in Jersey Day. I am praying and sending out encouraging thoughts for the ones in the hospital. I cheer for them silently when I see positive reports on how they are doing. I hope they are able to leave the hospital and be able to be with their families at home again.

As I write, the funerals of the those that died in the crash will be beginning soon. May the players who are out of the hospital be able to make it to the funeral/memorial services and that will find comfort from those around.

The world has reached out to the Humboldt Broncos by donating to a Go Fund Me Page. It is over 12 Million dollars. This in itself is a true testament on how this has affected the world.

My hope is that the survivors can heal from this tragedy and they will find a place in the future for themselves. I or should I say we as a nation and world are cheering for you and yes praying for your futures. I hope you will always feel the support that we as a world so want to give.

I would like to end this blog post with listing the victims who died. If you click their names it will being you to their obituary and with a little more about their short lives. I also want to add some links after, of articles I found worth the read.