04/05/2023
Humboldt Broncos April 6, 2018 @ 4:50PM CST (GMT -6)
Warning: This is a long text but I hope those who make it through may be changed like I have.
It will be 5 years tomorrow, April 6th , since the tragic Humboldt Broncos accident that took 16 lives and injured 13. I took time this year to travel from the Ottawa ON area to the West of Canada to visit friends but also the site of this horrific crash and the city of Humboldt SK.
I approached the fated intersection as the bus had that afternoon along 35 North about an hour after the accident occurred. I turned onto 335 and turned around after a bit to experience the Westward trajectory the tractor trailer had traveled. Much has changed to include rumble strips and a tree line almost completely removed. Clear sight in all directions and my eyes rested upon the markings at the site of the crash aftermath on the North/West corner.
I carefully crossed the intersection and parked my vehicle to the side of the road respecting the sacred ground I was about to stand on. As I approached the markings I counted the 17 crosses: 16 small white crosses and 1 large one casting it’s shadow towards the others. Overwhelmed, I took a knee and said a prayer. The weight was great and I struggled to my feet to walk back to my vehicle. As I did, a double tractor trailer approached the intersection and the rumble from the strips was loud and ominous. I turned to see it approach and stop at the intersection. There was no traffic coming and the driver could have easily crossed the road. Instead, he stared at the crosses for about 1 minute before moving on with his load. This intersection has changed us…..all of us.
I drove to the city of Humboldt not sure what to expect. It is a typical small town in rural Saskatchewan. Some signs refer to the Broncos but they were not overt. I proceeded to the Elgar Petersen Arena where the Broncos home ice is located. They were playing an away game against the Melfort Mustangs, which I was listening to on my vehicle radio. As I walked into the main entrance, there was a large teddy bear on the right bench between the doors. I cannot precisely remember it’s significance but it did relate to the players whose lives were lost. As I moved into the main lobby there were typical arena markings for the home team. I proceeded up the main steps and entered the upper level to the ice.
My eyes were greeted with a plethora of banners hanging from the rafters. My brain adjusted and I realized the first row was for the players, coaches, radio announcers, therapist and bus driver who perished in the accident. The next row was the remaining players who survived of that team. My heart leapt into my throat and I stood there reading each banner. I then walked down the aisle and looked up to see team photos on the wall. I backtracked to the 2017/2018 team and saw the familiar picture I had seen in many news clippings. I took a final inhalation of the arena, with it’s familiar smells of ice being chilled, and moved back out into the lobby.
Stepping down the stairs I proceeded further in towards the curling surfaces. I never made it inside as a bright light caught my attention. I again took time with the image in front of me to process what I saw. Before me was a complete display paying homage to all the victims of the tragedy. I spent just a few moments there and decided I had seen enough. My mind swirled and I needed to go outside to recover. The whole time I was in there people noticed me but kept on with their activities. Unknown to them was the turmoil and transformation happening inside of me. I left that building changed forever.
I deeply relate to this tragedy on many levels: As a former athlete traveling by bus to competitions; a bus company owner and driver, including our local Kemptville 73s Junior A hockey team, and; as a father to children who may some day also travel by bus to their own destinations. I have never lost a large number of family, friends or acquaintances in a single incident so cannot completely understand the impact on those who are tied to the lost or injured. I pray I never experience such a day. I pray no one ever does…..but there is always fate.
As a bus driver, like Glen Doerksen, you prepare weeks/days in advance of your transport assignments. I tell myself my passengers could be my children and I generally drive with the greatest care I can muster. Despite all efforts such tragedies can still occur. Why would anyone want to drive a bus with such heavy responsibility and fate in control of the outcome? For myself, I own and drive buses, though very limited at this time, to unite others and possibly change lives for the better. My life was directly impacted as an athlete to reach the heights I did in large part to buses delivering me to my possible future that paid dividends. I am grateful for that.
We remember those from Humboldt who were lost and injured and those who lost or care for them. A community, province, country and places around the world felt the shock and grief this loss brought. We also cheered the triumph when the Broncos took to the ice for the first time after the tragedy. Human resilience never ceases to amaze me and it inspires those of us who struggle to persevere our darkest moments to bathe in the light of victory.
Sticks out for Humboldt Broncos.
Providing charter, accessible and weekday commuter shuttle services to Ottawa.
