Clad in hockey jerseys, hundreds gathered in points across the Central Okanagan to pay tribute to the 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos killed in last week香蕉视频直播檚 bus crash.
At a vigil in West Kelowna and another in Kelowna, the names of those who died when the team bus hit a semi-trailer en route to a game in Saskatchewan last Friday were read aloud while men, women and children bowed their heads in grief and let their tears flow.
In Kelowna, members of the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy released green and yellow balloons into the sky, each representing a victim of the crash. Around 500 people attended the vigil at Prospera Place.
Donna Macdonell, a Kelowna resident who attended the vigil in Kelowna, belongs to a family of hockey players.
香蕉视频直播淢y husband played hockey until he was 52. We香蕉视频直播檝e got a son, 46, who香蕉视频直播檚 still playing hockey, his son is in minor hockey. We love hockey and of course this has just been devastating,香蕉视频直播� she said.
香蕉视频直播淲e are overwhelmed with loss and grief,香蕉视频直播� said Rev. Don Richmond, at the second of two vigils he spoke at, before offering a prayer.
Warriors香蕉视频直播� head coach and GM Rylan Ferster pointed out that the tragedy plays on all the fears of parents who put their children on buses to play sports, as well as team members themselves.
It香蕉视频直播檚 something he knows all too well.
Ferster was not only born and raised in the prairie province, he played with the Broncos as a 16-year-old rookie during the 1985-86 season.
He also played three years with the Nipawin Hawks, the team the Broncos were travelling to play in an SJHL playoff game when their bus collided with a truck.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e been on that road many times, I know exactly where it happened,香蕉视频直播� said Ferster, who was born in nearby Prince Albert, Sask.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 been tough. I can香蕉视频直播檛 imagine what it香蕉视频直播檚 like for people back home. I know how I feel two provinces away and it香蕉视频直播檚 just devastating. I香蕉视频直播檝e talked to a lot of people back home and they香蕉视频直播檙e reeling, some of them can香蕉视频直播檛 even talk about it.香蕉视频直播�
Support for those who are hurting nearby and afar is why the country banded together to grieve.
香蕉视频直播淲e play together, we laugh together and we cry together,香蕉视频直播� said MP Dan Albas at the West Kelowna vigil for Humboldt Saskatchewan Thursday night.
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