‘IMMEASURABLE LOSS’ Names and faces of crash victims released By: Geena Mortfield Posted: 3:00 AM CDT Friday, Jun. 23, 2023 Last Modified: 8:42 AM CDT Friday, Jun. 23, 2023

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This article was published 23/06/2023 (1184 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DAUPHIN — One at a time, family members of seniors who died as a result of a crash between a bus and semi-truck near Carberry last week sombrely walked into a room at Credit Union Place to place a large photo of their lost loved one on a stand.

Several of them paused to reflect in front of the images before taking their seat at the front of the room.

The scene unfolded at a press conference in Dauphin on Thursday, the photos finally putting faces to a tragedy that has deeply affected two Manitoba communities.

During the press conference at Credit Union Place, Manitoba RCMP also released the names of the 16 people who died, their photos inscribed with their name and date of birth lined the front of the room.

“Hearts are broken, families are grieving, a community is feeling immeasurable loss,” RCMP Supt. Jeff Asmundson said during the press conference, his voice wavering with emotion. “The communities of Carberry and Dauphin will be forever connected.”

The room was filled with family members, first responders, police and community members. Many family members, young and old, had walked together as they placed their loved one’s photo at the front of the room.

Those killed in the June 15 crash included: Helen Kufley, 88; Frank Perzylo, 82, and his 80-year-old wife, Rose; Nettie Nakonechny, 87; Louis Bretecher, 81; Margaret Furkalo, 82; Vangie Gilchrist, 83; Ann Hill, 81; Arlene Lindquist, 68; Dianne Medwid, 70; Shirley Novalkowski, 76; Jean Rosenkranz, 82; Lillian Stobbe, 73; Donna Showdra, 79; Patsy Zamrykut, 88; and Claudia Zurba, 87.

A moment of silence was held for the crash victims after names of the deceased were read out, along with a message provided by the family about their loved one.

“She was our mom, nana, great nana, great great nana. Love you forever. Our hearts were shattered into pieces that day June 15, 2023,” one message said.

Speaking to media after the press conference, RCMP Supt. Rob Lasson, of Major Crime Services, which is investigating the crash, had few updates on the investigation.

However, he did note that investigators have learned that the drivers of both vehicles held legal licences at the time of the collision.

He also said that investigators have determined the make of the bus to be a 2005 5500 Chevrolet passenger van.

Lasson said that the next steps in the investigation are the mechanical analysis and talking to the rest of the survivors. He also said the investigation is waiting on production orders as well, which he added take time.

In a previous status update on the investigation last week, Lasson said that he does not anticipate having answers from the mechanical analysis for a few months.

When asked by the Sun about the witnesses who investigators have spoken with, Lasson said that he could not provide an exact number but that a few survivors have been interviewed and a few passersby who witnessed the crash.

Lasson added that investigators continue to work with survivors and families but said they’re not rushing to talk to them.

“We’re hoping for their recovery and, at the right time, we’ll get their comments about what they experienced and saw that day, which will be very difficult,” Lasson told reporters.

Lasson did not have an update on whether criminality has been ruled out.

RCMP Insp. Lee Fortin, was one of the authorities who notified families about their loved one after the crash. He told reporters that not only was the job difficult, but the crash scene was difficult for first responders as well.

When asked about how RCMP officers dealt with responding to the horrific scene of the crash, Fortin said that everyone processes things differently. He shared a story with reporters about one officer’s experience, where something as simple as seeing a piece of candy brought back a flood of emotion.

Both Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak and RM of Dauphin Reeve Ernest Sirski also spoke at the press conference.

Bosiak said it was a difficult week for the city. He gave his best wishes to those in the hospital. He thanked first responders as well as community members, citizens, city staff and the outpouring of support from across the country.

“I know we are hurting, but we are resilient, we are strong — Dauphin strong,” he said.

When asked about planning a public funeral, Bosiak said that he thinks that most families will choose to have private individual funeral services for their loved one.

Sirski told reporters that he personally knew four of the victims who were members of his church. He said that he has sang in his church choir with some of the crash victims who are in the hospital. Still, he said everybody knew somebody impacted by the crash.

“It’s been a grieving process that you can never prepare for. You can prepare for a hurricane because you can look at the weather forecast. You can sandbag your house if the flood is coming,” Sirski said. “You can’t prepare for this.”

Premier Heather Stefanson was also at the press conference and offered her sympathies. She said that she spoke with families and the province will offer its support. She also thanked the first responders and the RCMP.

“We are grieving as a province along with those families and offering supports to those families. This doesn’t end today, this continues, and we will continue to ensure and offer supports to the families and we just want to send a message to them [that] whatever they need from us, we’re here for them,” she said.

The collision occurred when a bus carrying 25 seniors was heading south on Highway 5 in the RM of North Cypress-Langford to the Sand Hills Casino.

At the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans-Canada Highway, just north of Carberry, the bus was struck by an eastbound semi-truck. RCMP have said that, based on dashcam footage, the truck had the right of way.

On the day of the crash, 15 people were declared dead, with another 10 reported to be in hospital in varying conditions. On Wednesday, RCMP announced that one of the injured had succumbed to their injuries, raising the death toll to 16.

In an update sent out Thursday morning, Shared Health confirmed that nine patients remained in hospital, four of whom were receiving critical care.

A public memorial service and candlelight vigil took place at the Ukrainian Orthodox Hall in Dauphin on Thursday evening.

» gmortfield@brandonsun.com