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 week91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淢y husband played hockey until he was 52. We91裸聊视频檝e got a son, 46, who91裸聊视频檚 still playing hockey, his son is in minor hockey. We love hockey and of course this has just been devastating,91裸聊视频� she said.
91裸聊视频淲e are overwhelmed with loss and grief,91裸聊视频� said Rev. Don Richmond, at the second of two vigils he spoke at, before offering a prayer.
Warriors91裸聊视频� 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.
It91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e been on that road many times, I know exactly where it happened,91裸聊视频� said Ferster, who was born in nearby Prince Albert, Sask.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been tough. I can91裸聊视频檛 imagine what it91裸聊视频檚 like for people back home. I know how I feel two provinces away and it91裸聊视频檚 just devastating. I91裸聊视频檝e talked to a lot of people back home and they91裸聊视频檙e reeling, some of them can91裸聊视频檛 even talk about it.91裸聊视频�
Support for those who are hurting nearby and afar is why the country banded together to grieve.
91裸聊视频淲e play together, we laugh together and we cry together,91裸聊视频� said MP Dan Albas at the West Kelowna vigil for Humboldt Saskatchewan Thursday night.
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