Canadian Hockey Bus Crash: World Mourns Victims of Tragedy That Left 15 Dead

A semi-trailer slammed into a bus carrying youth hockey team The Humboldt Broncos in western Canada on Friday.

A community has come together following the bus crash tragedy that left 15 people dead, including members of a western Canada youth hockey team.

Friends and loved ones mourned the victims during Sunday services at a church in Humboldt, the town the team called home.

"Humboldt's a very close community and this is where it really shows up," church member Dave Atamanchek said.

Atamanchek's own son played for the Humboldt Broncos a year ago.

"There are several who were supposed to be on the bus that weren't either," he said. "And so, God spared them... they're spared for a reason."

Churchgoer Donavon Block agreed, saying, "It's really hard to explain the devastating acts from over the weekend. It's hard to put into words how it's affected this community."

At the hockey rink that the Broncos called home, hundreds gathered to memorialize the dead, including Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"I cannot imagine what these parents are going through, and my heart goes out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy, in the Humboldt community and beyond," Trudeau tweeted Saturday.

The bus had 29 passengers, including the driver, when it crashed at about 5 p.m. Friday on Highway 35, police said.

Among the dead are Humboldt Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan, team captain Logan Schatz and radio announcer Tyler Bieber.

"Darcy Haugan was an incredible coach, he was an incredible father and was an incredible GM," said Humboldt Broncos President Kevin Garinger during a news conference.

Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench said he's received phone calls and messages from people around the world offering condolences.

"Words cannot describe the sadness in our community tonight." the mayor tweeted.

The NHL's Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks came together on the ice wearing Broncos jerseys for a moment of silence before Saturday's game in Winnipeg.

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip were also among those offering condolences.

"Prince Philip and I were saddened to hear word of the crash involving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team," the queen's statement read. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost so much, with their families and with all Canadians who grieve with them at this difficult time."

By Monday, officials had identified the 10 players killed in the crash, as well as the five team personnel members. They are:

Adam Herold, 16, of Montmartre, Saskatchewan

Connor Lukan, 21, of Slave Lake, Alberta

Evan Thomas, 18, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Jacob Leicht, 19, of Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Jaxon Joseph, 20, of Edmonton, Alberta

Logan Boulet, 21, of Lethbridge, Alberta

Logan Hunter, 18, of St. Albert, Alberta

Logan Schatz, 20, of Allan, Saskatchewan

Stephen Wack, 21, of St. Albert, Alberta

Parker Tobin, 18, of Stony Plain, Alberta

Brody Hinz, 18, of Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Darcy Haugan, 42, of Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Glen Doerksen, 59, of Carrot River, Saskatchewan

Mark Cross, 27, of Strasbourg, Saskatchewan

Tyler Bieber, 29, of Humboldt, Saskatchewan

GoFundMe campaign has been started to raise money for the victims. By Monday, the campaign had raised more than $5 million.

RELATED STORIES