RCMP say ‘significant resources’ deployed to deadly Saskatchewan crash involving hockey team’s bus

The RCMP have confirmed fatalities in a serious collision on Highway 35 in Saskatchewan, involving a semi-truck and a hockey team’s bus on Friday.

Nipawin RCMP said the collision happened about 30 kilometres north of Tisdale, near the junction of Highway 335.

Officers also confirmed a number of injuries.

At a press conference held at shortly before 9:30 p.m. local time in Regina on Friday, RCMP Insp. Ted Munro said he could not confirm the number of fatalities or injuries but rescue efforts were ongoing.

“It’s a significant accident when you have a tractor trailer and a bus collide,” Munro said.

He said “significant resources” have been deployed, including investigators, traffic reconstructionists and victim services. The highway remains closed.

“Our primary focus here… [is to] deal with the injured, get them to the required medical facility — whether it’s in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Nipawin,” Munro said.

Road conditions at the time of the collision are still unknown, he said.

On Twitter, the Nipawin Hawks, an Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) team, confirmed that the Humboldt Broncos team bus was involved in the collision.

“Tonight’s game is cancelled. The accident being talked about involved Humboldt team bus. We ask during this time that you don’t send messages. When more information is given we will update,” the Nipawin Hawks posted on Facebook.

Watch below: Sheldon Kennedy, who was involved in the 1986 fatal bus crash involving the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos hockey club, reacts to hearing about the Humboldt Broncos bus crash on Friday.

The two teams were set to play Friday night in Nipawin.

The president of the Nipawin Hawks said a semi-truck T-boned the players’ bus.

“It’s a horrible accident, my God,” Darren Opp said. “It’s very, very bad.

“It’s terrible. It’s absolutely terrible.”

LISTEN: Global News Radio’s Michelle Morton speaks with Humboldt Bronco’s GoFundMe organizer Sylvie Kellington

“Our whole community is in shock, we are grieving and we will continue to grieve throughout this ordeal as we try to work toward supporting each other,” Kevin Garinger told The Canadian Press.

“It’s one of the hardest days of my life.”

RCMP said families can gather at the Nipawin Apostolic Church and information will be provided to them as it becomes available. Emergency personnel and victim services representatives will also attend.

READ MORE: Mom of Saskatchewan bus crash survivor heartbroken for ‘hockey family’

Jordan Gadsby, the pastor at the church, said over 100 people have gathered there, including parents and grandparents of the players who were on the bus.

“Some of the families have gotten information and have gone to be with their kids. Some of them are waiting to hear if their kids are alive.”

“We’re just waiting to hear [details],” said Rick Shultz, chairman of the board for the SJHL. “We just know there has been an accident.

“It’s not very good.”

“Words can not describe the loss that we feel tonight,” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe tweeted. “From a grieving province, thank you to first responders and medical professionals for courageous response under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

“Tonight, we all must pray for these families.”

The Saskatchewan Health Authority said parents and family members seeking information about their loved ones who may have been involved in the crash can call 306-752-8700.

A hotel chain tweeted that its hotels would be available free of charge for Friday night to family members who need to stay close to hospital.

Edmonton native Quinn Schneidmiller used to play for the Broncos until he was traded in October. He spoke to Global News from his family home in Penticton, B.C. after learning of the crash and said he happened to be in Humboldt earlier this week where he saw the players from his former team.

“I can’t believe what happened,” Schneidmiller said. “I literally hugged some of them 72 hours ago.

“It’s hard to comprehend,” he added. “I knew most of the victims pretty well.”

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior ‘A’ hockey league under Hockey Canada, and is open to North American-born players between the age of 16 and 20.

The Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos tweeted their condolences.

“Humboldt Broncos weighing heavy in our hearts and minds tonight,” the team said on social media.

Four members of the Swift Current Broncos were killed in a 1986 bus crash in Saskatchewan.

READ MORE: Memorial unveiled for 4 Swift Current Broncos players killed 30 years ago

Watch below: (From Dec. 30, 2016) A memorial has been unveiled for four Swift Current Broncos players on the anniversary of the fatal bus crash.

Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy, one of the players on that bus in 1986, also tweeted a message of support.

“Sending all my thoughts and prayers to those impacted with the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.”

Tisdale is about 200 kilometres east of Saskatoon.

Reaction to the crash was swift on social media.

View some of the tweets sent out about the crash below:

More to come…

-With files from The Canadian Press