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One candle lit for each of the 29 victims as a community remembers

HUMBOLDT — One candle was lit for each of the 29 victims on the third anniversary of the crash that took the lives of 16 community members and injured 13 others. “April 6, 2018, is a day we will never forget.
third memorial
Chris Beaudry and Mellissa Doerksen lit 29 candles, representing each victim of the Humboldt Broncos bus collision, during the third anniversary of the tragedy on April 6. Screenshot from City of Humboldt/Facebook

HUMBOLDT — One candle was lit for each of the 29 victims on the third anniversary of the crash that took the lives of 16 community members and injured 13 others.

“April 6, 2018, is a day we will never forget. It remains clearly etched in our memories, even though another year has passed,” said Deputy Mayor Rob Muench, who emceed the virtual tribute service on April 6. 

“In the years following we have lifted each other up with the help of the outreach of love and support from all over Canada and beyond.”

Mellissa Doerksen, daughter to bus driver Glen Doerksen, and Chris Beaudry, former assistant coach, lit each candle as all 29 names were said. Following this, Marilyn Hay, mother to Tyler Bieber, read a poem entitled Light a Candle.

Muench spoke a thanks to the first responders of the tragedy, to those who have given various messages of support to the community in the time since, and to the families of the victims and survivors.

“I’d like to thank the parents, family members and surviving players that have been promoting the positive changes that are happening in this country since the tragedy,” he said. “You are certainly making our world a better place.”

Live performances were given by local artists, with Araba Quaye performing Amazing Grace and Faith Schuler performing In the Garden.

Julia Ramsay and Graham Dyck both performed pieces they composed following the tragedy. Ramsay’s piece was Our Prayer of Hope while Dyck performed Humboldt Strong.

At approximately 4:50 p.m., the church bells were tolled 29 times followed by a moment of silence to mark the approximate time that the tragedy occurred.

The full service can be found on the City of Humboldt’s Facebook page.