By Greg Fry

Soberlak’s message to bus crash survivors: ‘All of us are part of your family’

Apr 12, 2018 | 1:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — Powerful, emotional and meaningful.

Those are just three of the adjectives Peter Soberlak used to describe his trip to Saskatchewan to meet with survivors of last week’s tragic bus crash that claimed the lives of 16 people and injured 13 others.

Sadly, it brought back vivid memories for Soberlak, who in 1986 was in a bus crash that killed four of his Swift Current Broncos teammates.

Today, he is the Athletic Performance Advisor for the TRU WolfPack and was in the Prairies to offer support and words of wisdom, noting his visit to the hospital was very much a bonding experience for all involved.

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“Absolutely. My message to them was unfortunately now we have become a family. I said all of us are part of your family and we’re in this together and whatever we can do today or in the future, we’re here to support you because we know what it’s like to go through this.”

Soberlak says he also emphasized the need to be grateful that they survived and to avoid burying or hiding their emotions.

“It’s important that they all take advantage of the support system available to them — particularly mental health professionals. Once the dust settles and the media’s gone and the funerals are over, that’s when it’s really imperative everyone seeks the help they need.”

Along with visiting the hospital with former Swift Current Bronco teammates Sheldon Kennedy and Bob Wilkie, he was also at the vigil at the arena in Humboldt Sunday night. 

“I spent most of my time looking at my friend and former teammate Chris Joseph who lost his son Jaxon in the accident. Chris and I were roommates in Cape Breton and seeing the sheer sorrow and anguish was really heartwrenching but it was very positive for them to feel all the love and support.”

Soberlak says he also had a chance during his visit to go to Nipawin and meet with 50 of the first responders who were on the accident scene.

“It was a very busy, emotional weekend. It’s just the first step in the process of what’s going to be a long, healing journey.”