Yarmouth County schools to show their respect for Bathurst students killed in tragic accident

By Tina Comeau

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

Schools in Yarmouth County, and the tri-counties, are being encouraged to pay their respect to seven high school students and a teacher who lost their lives in Bathurst, N.B. over the weekend when the van they were traveling in was involved in a tragic accident just minutes away from home.

The outpouring of grief for the seven teenaged basketball players and their coach’s wife has been nationwide, with condolences also coming from other parts of the globe as well.

Out of respect for those who lost their lives, superintendent Phil Landry is encouraging all schools within the Tri-County Regional School Board to fly their flags at half-mast. “Also the superintendent is encouraging all students and staff to wear read and black, the Bathurst colours, tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 16), the day of the students’ funeral service,” says board spokesperson Joe Hazelton, who notes some schools also have their own memorial activities planned.

One of the local schools that is planning to honour the students is Ecole Secondaire de Par-en-Bas in Tusket, which is part of the Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial board.

Grade 10 student Colton LeBlanc contacted The Vanguard Tuesday morning that say that on Wednesday students at the junior/senior high school are being encouraged to wear formal attire to school. “We’re going to have a moment of silence, I don’t know if it’s going to be in the gym or just in the classes, and I think everyone is going to sign an Acadian flag and we’re going to write a letter to send to (the Bathurst high school),” LeBlanc says, who along with a teacher at the school came up with the idea of remembering those who have lost their lives. “It shocks you when you hear about it on the news and you realize it could be anyone from our school, it could just happen to anyone,” the student says. “I think the kids here should realize how fortunate we are.”

The accident happened Saturday morning when the van carrying the Bathurst high school senior varsity basketball team collided with a transport truck while driving home from a game in Moncton in inclement weather. Just a few minutes away the parents of the players were waiting to pick them up at a fast food restaurant.

Eight victims died at the scene. Four survived the crash, including the team’s coach, his daughter and two other players.

Today visitation for the seven students who died is being held in the local arena in Bathurst, which has been transformed into a funeral home. The arena will also be the site of a public funeral on Wednesday.

A funeral for teacher Beth Lord, who taught at a different school, is being held Thursday.

Meanwhile as investigators continue to probe the crash questions are being raised over the safety of the 15-passenger van the team was traveling in.

That type of van is not allowed to be used by public schools in Nova Scotia. The vans were banned here during the 1990s.