Humboldt tragedy brings back memories for local survivor of similar crash

Prince Albert school principal Art Feher knows what the players and the families impacted by the fatal Humboldt Bronco’s bus crash are going through. More than 30 years ago, he survived a similar crash that killed four of his teammates on the WHL Swift Current Broncos.

“I had only been with the team for four days,” Feher told paNOW. “I got a call from Graham James to finish off my 20-year-old year in Swift Current. I got there Dec. 26 and on Dec. 30 was our first trip to Regina and that’s when the crash happened.”

Feher said hearing the magnitude of the crash that claimed 15 lives near Nipawin last Friday brought back vivid memories and experiences. He said the surviving players are likely in a state of confusion. He said people need to be honest about what happened and not ‘sugar-coat’ things.

“Those boys are going through a lot of fear. There will be a lot of ‘What could I have done?’ and survivor’s guilt… but I think if they just keep on talking to friends and family that would be the best thing. Time heals in any type of tragedy, but this is going to take a long time,” he said.

Ashlee Schmidt is a mental health therapist at Aspen & Oak Professional Counselling in Prince Albert. She is offering counselling services to anyone in need following the accident including RCMP and first responders, families and all victims.

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“As a hockey mom, and a a Midget AAA billet mom, I understand how difficult this is and want to help in any way I can,” she said.

Schmidt said she is willing to travel and has left space in her schedule over the next two weeks or more to meet the need of counselling services, debriefing and other supports she can offer.

“It is the absolute, single most important thing in a time of tragedy…recognizing signs and symptoms of sudden loss and grief and getting the help you need makes a world of difference,” she said.

From his own experience, Feher said the best thing those impacted by the crash can do is seek the support they need and move on.

“Understand that hockey is around the corner and if they are able to play to get on skates and if not… they have a whole life ahead of them to be thankful for and look forward to,” Feher said.  “They need to know that the community and province are behind them and will do whatever they can to help make this transition from tragedy to normality – whatever that might be.”

teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone