Humboldt gathers to remember five years since life-changing crash

A memorial event Thursday to mark the five-year anniversary of the horrific Humboldt Broncos bus crash brought people representing the green and gold of the team together to mourn and remember.

The event Thursday brought about 100 people to the Elgar Petersen Arena in Humboldt.

At 4:50 p.m., the bell at St. Augustine Catholic Church down the road from the arena tolled 29 times to commemorate the 29 people who were on the bus the day of the crash.

Former Humboldt mayor Rob Muench at the Elgar Petersen Arena on April 6, 2023. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

“It’s a lot like the first night, April 6, 2018, when people just came to the rink and they were here to comfort each other,” said Rob Muench, who was the mayor of Humboldt at the time of the crash.

Five years ago, the Broncos were on their way to Nipawin for an SJHL playoff game against the Hawks when their bus collided with a semi that had driven through a stop sign at an intersection near Tisdale.

The crash claimed the lives of 16 people and 13 others were hurt.

On Thursday, tribute videos that were played on the arena’s big screen brought tears to the eyes of many present. Among those present at the arena were the current members of Humboldt’s SJHL team.

Muench said people are in different stages of grieving, with some still struggling and others wanting to see time turn back to how things were before the crash. That was the inspiration behind the “low-key” event.

Muench said April 6 is now always a hard day for him, the families affected and the community of Humboldt.

“Even though you think of it every day — a lot of people do — it’s one of those things where April 6 brings you back to that day,” he said.

A Humboldt Broncos memorial display at the Elgar Petersen Arena. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM)

He said gratitude is a term often mentioned, but remains applicable — the Humboldt community remains grateful for all the support it has received over the past half-decade.

“It’s hard to imagine that it’s five years,” Muench said of the tragedy.

Then again, the former mayor said it sometimes feels like 10 years have passed.

Now a city councillor for Humboldt and chairman of the Humboldt Broncos Memorial Committee, Muench said planning for a roadside memorial is proceeding “quite nicely.”

Spearheaded by families affected by the crash, Muench said the committee hopes to break ground on the project this year.