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Deathtoll now 15, truck driver uninjured

UPDATE: This afternoon, Saskatchewan RCMP were notified of another death resulting from the fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred yesterday. This brings the number of people who died in this collision to 15.

UPDATE: This afternoon, Saskatchewan RCMP were notified of another death resulting from the fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred yesterday. This brings the number of people who died in this collision to 15.

BACKGROUND: Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki said at a news conference today in Humboldt the RCMP is not ready to release the names of the deceased and injured in the crash of the Humboldt Broncos, but he did say the driver of the semi truck that was involved is not injured and is not in custody.

 
A total of 29 people were on the bus, 14 died (now 15)  and 15 people were sent to hospital with a variety of injuries, said Zablocki. Some are deemed critical, he said, but did not give numbers or details in respect for the privacy of families and the injured individuals.
 
They are in hospital in Saskatoon, he said.
 
RCMP were called to the scene about 5 p.m. Friday, he said. The tractor trailer was travelling west on Highway 355 and the bus was travelling north on Highway 35. There is no information on the cause of the accident yet, as there are many directions the investigation has to go in, including road conditions, weather, mechanical conditions of the vehicles and the condition of the operators.
 
He said the driver of the semi was detained initially, as a matter of routine procedure, as with any other collision, but he has since been released and has been provided with mental health and wellness assistance.
 
Jabloski said, with the amount of evidence and information and the number of victims of this collision, will take take some time to investigate. He said it was too early to comment on the cause of the collision but the RCMP will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
 
He recognized the efforts of the RCMP, emergency responders, victim services workers, medical professionals, community leaders and members who responded and continued to provide assistance.
 
There was a tremendous response, said Jabloski, estimating RCMP resources at scene were around or in excess of 50 members.
 
Humboldt Bronco's president Kevin Garinger said the Bronco's organization is focused on providing support to the athletes, their families and billet families.
 
He said they were in contact with all parents of the players soon after word was received of the collision. That was intentional, he said, in order to inform them of the accident and find out what their needs are. 
 
Some parents are not in the community, he added.
 
"They need to be in our community," said Garinger. "We are in the process of setting up arrangements to get them here and support them in every way we can."
 
He said billet families would be included in that support. These young men become part of their billet families, he said.
 
"They have had a significant impact on our homes, our families and our children."
 
As far as the names of the deceased is concerned, that is not something for the Broncos to list, he said. That will come from the RCMP.
 
Garinger said he realizes information has been shared on social media, but the information will not be shared by the Broncos, who will wait for the proper channels.
 
Natalie Gray, Acting Manager - Saskatchewan RCMP Communications and Media Relations, said in a statement this afternoon, “We understand the level of public interest after a sudden loss like this.  The Saskatchewan RCMP are committed to ensuring the public and the media are advised of any new information as soon as we can. 
 
“We have received many requests for updates about the injured passengers. Therefore, I thought it might be helpful to provide some clarification relating to what information the RCMP has regarding the medical condition of the injured passengers. Once an injured person is transported to hospital, the RCMP receives no further information about their condition or injuries as this is considered to be personal health information.”