Canadian Police have confirmed 14 people were killed as a lorry collided into a bus carrying a junior ice hockey team late on Friday evening.
The Humboldt Broncos were traveling through Saskatchewan on Highway 35, just north of Tisdale, when the tragic incident occured.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police say 28 people were on the bus, 14 of who were killed, including the driver.
Three people are in critical condition in hospital while everyone else has also been taken to hospital as a precaution.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted:
The crash occurred around 5pm local time, which would be around 11pm in the UK.
The Humboldt Broncos play in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and were en-route to a play off game against the Nipawin Hawks when tragedy struck.
Their team were entirely made up of between 16 and 21-year-old players.
The entire hockey community and further afield have been posting their condolences on social media since hearing of the crash:
Ted Munro, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police inspector, said rescue efforts are ongoing and an information and support centre for the families had been set up at Nipawin Apostolic Church.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families tonight.
One player’s father, Myles Shumlanski, turned up at the scene after receiving a frightening call from his son.
He said:
It was a disaster. We had a crane lifting the bus.
Team president Kevin Granger also released a statement saying:
Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the families of our staff and athletes as well as to all who have been impacted by this horrible tragedy.
Our Broncos family is in shock as we try to come to grips with our incredible loss.
Currently, some family members are still waiting to hear whether their relatives are OK.
What an absolutely awful incident and our thoughts go out to all those affected.
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.