14 killed in bus crash involving Canadian junior hockey team
What's the story
As many as 14 people are said to have been killed in a road accident involving the ice hockey team bus and a truck in Canada. The bus was carrying players of Humboldt Broncos, a team in the Saskatchewan junior hockey league. The team was travelling to Nipawin for a playoff game as the bus collided with a truck.
Mishap
Fatal accident on Canada's rural highway
According to Saskatoon StarPhoenix, a local media outlet, more than 14 have been injured and two of them are in critical shape. The bus, which was said to be carrying at least 28 people including the driver, was involved in the accident at around 5 PM in the evening. The incident occurred in an agricultural region, 28km north of the town of Tisdale.
Twitter Post
Hockey Canada releases statement
We are shocked and saddened over the tragic news of the accident involving the Humboldt Broncos.
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) April 7, 2018
We extend our deepest sympathies to the Broncos organization, the families, the friends, the fans and entire Humboldt community. #PrayersForHumboldt https://t.co/Skv6ylria8 pic.twitter.com/F8ElWijpUr
Information
What is the Saskatchewan junior league?
The league acts as the benchmark for players to go ahead and play in US and Canadian colleges, besides major junior leagues. Some players have also gone on to represent teams in National Hockey League.
Several instances
Major accidents involving sports teams
On November 28, 2016, a plane carrying Brazilian 2nd tier team Chapecoense to Colombia suffered a crash killing 71 people. In 2011, two Oklahoma University state coaches of the women's basketball team were killed in a plane crash during a recruiting trip. In the same year, a Russian plane carrying several former National Hockey players crashed during take-off in Yaroslavl killing 43 passengers.