The Churchill River Bridge is part of a busy highway in Northern Saskatchewan. It's located about 85 kilometers north of La Ronge. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Churchill River

Fundraiser launched for boy who lost his life saving a friend more than 30 years ago

Apr 1, 2026 | 4:52 PM

On a fateful day in August 1983, 12-year-old Clarence McDonnell left for a trip to the Churchill River near Otter Lake with a local group for what was supposed to be a fun day out.

Several boys, including chaperones, were on a major bridge when a northbound semi began to approach. 

McDonnell noticed a friend of his didn’t hear the semi approaching due to the loud sound of the river. He ran to his friend and pushed him to safety, but was ultimately struck by the semi himself.  

“All the boys were there and they seen it. The adults all went running up there. It’s still hard to talk about it,” said McDonnell’s sister Lillian Lariviere.  

“There happened to be a plane there…and they took him in there and took off. They tried to get him to a hospital, but he didn’t make it on the way.” 

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Shortly after the incident, the provincial government installed a walkway on the bridge to prevent any future injuries or deaths. Lariviere noted at that time, there was a discussion for some kind of permanent memorial, but nothing ever came from it.

Clarence McDonnell was only 12 years old when he lost his life while preventing a friend from getting hurt. (Image Credit: Facebook/Teron Roberts)

The wooden cross along the highway near the bridge. (Image Credit: Facebook/Teron Roberts)

The family did, however, install a wooden cross with his picture along the roadway. It also includes his name and a caption that says he ‘gave his life to save a friend.’ 

“Nobody has ever really known who this little boy was or anything. So, a few years ago, I decided to post it and tell a story about it and everything, and a lot of people commented on that. They always wondered who this little boy was,” Lariviere said. 

With the approval of the family, Teron Roberts has launched a fundraiser to memorialize McDonnell. The dedication would include the installation of a plaque, and would designate the pedestrian walkway as the ‘Walkway of Courage in Memory of Clarence R. McDonnell.’ 

Approval has already been received from the Ministry of Highways, contingent upon the plaque meeting a specified placement and design criteria. In addition, almost half of a $4,000 goal has been raised.  

Contributions can be made to tatr1981@hotmail.ca. 

“Whatever donations we get, that’s all going to go to the memorial plaque and whatever costs are associated with it,” Lariviere remarked.  

“If we do have money left over, we would like to get a really nice headstone for him. If we don’t make as much as we’re hoping to, it’s just going to come out of my pocket.”  

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com