Chris Beaudry (Left) and Melissa Doerksen (Right) lit candles in honour of the 29 individuals that were on the Humboldt Broncos bus on April 6, 2018. (City of Humboldt/Facebook)

By Mat Barrett

Humboldt Broncos

‘It remains clearly etched in our memories’: Service held on three year anniversary on Broncos bus crash

Apr 6, 2021 | 6:20 PM

It’s been three years since the world came to a screeching halt after the Humboldt Broncos bus was involved in an accident that killed 16 and injured 13 members of the hockey club.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 to remember and pay tribute to those lost and honour those who have survived.

“April 6, 2018 is a day we will never forget,” said Deputy Mayor of Humboldt Rob Muench. “It remains clearly etched in our memories, even though another year has passed.”

Deputy Mayor Rob Muench hosted the service. He was mayor at the time of the tragedy. (City of Humboldt/Facebook)

Muench was the mayor of Humboldt at the time of the crash in 2018.

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Muench hosted the service at a local church and thanked all those involved in the immediate response in 2018, and the support that followed. He also acknowledged the support from Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world.

“We will forever be grateful for all the prayers, the sticks on the front porch, the jerseys worn, the green ribbons tied, and the quilts sewn.”

He also gave thanks to the families of those lost, and the players that are still living their role in promoting the positive changes that are happening in their communities as a result of this.

The service then featured a musical performance by a local artist, followed by a candle lighting in honour of all 29 people that were on the bus. Chris Beaudry, who was an assistant coach with the team at the time, and Melissa Doerksen, daughter of bus driver Glenn Doerksen, were asked to light those candles. Muench would say “In memory of”, followed by a player’s name who passed in the accident, and then said “we now remember” followed by the names of those still alive.

The candle lighting was followed by a poem read by Marilyn Hay, the mother of play-by-play broadcaster Tyler Bieber who died in the crash.

Another musical performance was then followed by the tolling of the church bells at 4:50 p.m., the approximate time of the accident three years ago. The bells rang 29 times and was followed by a moment of silence. A rendition of Amazing Grace followed the moment of silence.

The service was closed out by one more musical performance by a local artist, and was titled ‘Humboldt Strong’.

“Proud and Strong, Humboldt Strong” and “please watch over Hockey Town tonight” were some of the lines sung as the service came to a close.

The service was streamed live on the City of Humboldt’s Facebook page.