By Angela Brown

City of North Battleford recognizes Humboldt Broncos bus crash victims

Apr 11, 2018 | 12:00 PM

The City of North Battleford has lowered the flags outside City Hall to half-mast for 15 days to recognize the 15 people who died in the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team bus crash last Friday.

A semi tractor-trailer collided with the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team’s bus near Tisdale April 6, leaving 15 dead and 14 more injured.

Appearing close to tears during council Monday night, North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater said “the hearts of the nation have been in Humboldt” since Friday.

“This is the most tragic event to happen to a sporting organization in the history of North America and the response on a global scale has been extraordinary,” he said.

Council recognized the tragedy with a moment of silence at its meeting, which the mayor said was meant to “let the community of Humboldt and the families affected know that they are not alone in shouldering this grief.”

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Many councillors wore green, the Humboldt Broncos’ colour, as a sign of solidarity, and Bater said he contacted Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench to offer his condolences and support if the community needs anything.

Bater said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has shown sympathy for the victims of the tragedy, as have U.S. President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth.

“The sorrow caused by this accident has spread throughout the country,” Bater said. “Our community is no different. This hits home for a lot of us here in the Battlefords. There are a lot of personal connections to the Humboldt Broncos team as well as the community of Humboldt, and of course families throughout Western Canada had players or coaches or staff involved with the accident.”

The Mayor said it’s important to support each other during the difficult time.

“A lot of us wish we could do something, but simply to let people know we care and we are there with them is important,” he said.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW