Northern community in shock but rallies after tragic crash

The enormity of the tragedy of Friday night’s motor vehicle incident south of Beauval in Northern Saskatchewan is still being taken in by the community. The crash, on Highway 155, involving a truck and an ambulance, claimed the lives of two children – a girl aged one and a 14 year old boy – as well as a paramedic. A total of six people occupied both vehicles.

In a media release early Sunday evening RCMP apologized for their initial inaccurate information issued on Saturday. They made clear the northbound ambulance had two occupants and the southbound truck had four occupants.

The mayor of Jans Bay, where the children were from, says people are in shock.

“It’s taking a big toll on everybody here because we’re a small community of only 200,” Joyce Maurice told paNOW. “At times like this we try to come together. The family won’t be alone. We’ll be with them.”

Maurice explained the local community radio station was running a bingo Sunday night with funds raised going to support the family. There would also be an auction event Monday.

At least two other family members in the truck were taken to hospital in Saskatoon. It’s not clear what sort of expenses they will face in the weeks ahead. Maurice said money would also help with the funeral expenses for the children who died. She said there would be help for the community trying to digest the tragedy.

“The community will provide the counselors for whoever needs to sit down and talk and grieve,” she explained, adding it was her understanding the Jans Bay elementary school would also have counselling for students who required it.

“There’s no words that can comfort the family because this is such a tragedy. We are thinking of them and sending our prayers.”

Kara Kohle, a teacher in nearby Beauval, knows the family and has set up a Go Fund Me page. She explained one of the family members in hospital in Saskatoon is the grandfather of the little girl who died and, as an uncle, is also the foster parent of the teen boy who lost his life. Another child, also from Jans Bay, is in hospital as well.

“The most immediate and urgent fundraising need is for the family who are in Saskatoon supporting the two people who were injured in the accident and it’s unforeseen how long they will be there,” Kohle said. “The Go Fund Me page (funeral expenses for Kinzey and Jerome) is set up specifically for the two young lives lost.”