Death Toll Rises In Horrific Hockey Team Tragedy

As information emerges about the horrific tragedy involving a Canadian hockey team, the identities of some of the victims emerge.

At least 14 people were killed after a tractor-trailer collided with a bus filled with members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team on their way to a playoff game. Players for the Saskatchewan Junior League team range in age from 16 to 21. https://t.co/OmWt9QW6TU

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 7, 2018

Our hearts are heavy today. Sending our thoughts, prayers, and condolences out to the friends and family of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team. #HockeyFamily

— p-Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) April 7, 2018

Crash of hockey team’s bus leaves at least 14 dead, town devastated https://t.co/kpbosHhWTW pic.twitter.com/jwi5LMHdA1

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 7, 2018

A semitruck collided with a Canadian junior hockey league team bus on Friday, leaving 14 dead and 14 injured.

Pictured here are 3 survivors in the hospital.

(via @rjpatter) pic.twitter.com/7lOVQKXq5r

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 7, 2018

Wow… this is devastating.

Unfortunately, the death toll has also risen.

BREAKING: Canadian police say death toll in bus crash involving a junior hockey team has risen to 15

— The Associated Press (@AP) April 7, 2018

Update: Police now say there are 15 fatalities after a truck collided with a bus carrying a Canadian junior hockey team to a playoff game in Western Canada. https://t.co/6dgWNwV6l1

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 7, 2018

According to Fox:

The identities of some of those killed in the crash of a bus carrying a Canadian junior hockey team headed to a playoff game were revealed Saturday, as relatives learned the team’s coach and team captain were among the dead.

Also Saturday, police said a 15th person had died. Earlier, investigators said 14 were dead and 15 others were hurt, three of them critically.

The bus, carrying the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, collided with a semi-truck on a highway in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, around 5 p.m. There were 29 people onboard at the time of the crash, including the driver, police said.

Relatives of the team’s head coach Darcy Haugan and captain Logan Schatz confirmed their deaths.

CBC News reported Haugan’s death and his wife, Christina, confirmed the news to reporters. His sister also tweeted, “My brother didn’t make it…”

My brother didn’t make it…

— invisigirlonfire (@DebbieJayneC) April 7, 2018

My big little brother, Darcy. The tears just keep coming… pic.twitter.com/HyhpQ4PIhe

— invisigirlonfire (@DebbieJayneC) April 7, 2018

She and the rest of those grieving are in my prayers. What a heartbreaking tragedy.

Schatz, 20, had been the captain for the past two and a half years of his four-year run on the team, his father, Kelly, told The Associated Press.

Tyler Bieber, a radio announcer who did play-by-play for the team, also died, The Associated Press reported. The AP cited Bieber’s friend, Jordan Seipp, and manager whose company owns the Humboldt station, CHBO, where Bieber worked.

Police did not immediately release the names of all those who died. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) would not specify how many of the deaths were players, whose ages range between 16 and 20.

So young. This is absolutely terrible.

The Broncos were on their way to Game 5 of the semi-finals against the Nipawin Hawks. Nipawin is about 164 miles from Saskatoon. After receiving word of the crash, the Hawks announced on Facebook that the game had been canceled.

The truck driver was not injured during the crash and initially was detained but has since been released, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki said. The official added that an investigation was underway and the cause of the crash was not yet clear.

The small, close-knit community the team was from is reeling from this tragedy:

The western Canadian town of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, which has a population of about 6,000, was devastated by the crash, with mourners leaving flowers at the Elgar Petersen Arena, home to the hockey team.

“It’s overwhelming. It’s been tough on everybody,” Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench told The Associated Press. “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.”

In a statement Saturday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the “entire country was in shock and mourning.”

To the entire Humboldt Broncos hockey community: We are here for you. As neighbours, as friends, and as Canadians, we grieve alongside you. Statement: https://t.co/jKloGgn5io

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 7, 2018

“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,” Trudeau said. “This is every parent’s worst nightmare. No one should ever have to see their child leave to play the sport they love and never come back.”

I cannot imagine what those parents must be going through.

Both President Trump and Vice President Pence tweeted Saturday offering their condolences for “the terrible Humboldt Team tragedy.”

Moments ago, President @realDonaldTrump tweeted that he’d sent his condolences to Canadian PM @JustinTrudeau in the wake of the tragic Humboldt hockey team bus crash. https://t.co/kpbosHhWTW pic.twitter.com/LiNDg5fbbh

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 7, 2018

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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2018

So tragic. Our hearts go out to our Canadian neighbors. Condolences and prayers for the victims, families & fans of the Humboldt Broncos. https://t.co/geW8rPfCYS

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) April 7, 2018

We will keep you updated when the cause of this tragic accident becomes clear.