By Adam Donnelly & Jill Sperling

Survivor of 1986 bus crash heartbroken by Humboldt Broncos tragedy

Apr 7, 2018 | 4:01 PM

KAMLOOPS — It is a tragedy that has rocked the entire nation. 

On Friday afternoon (April 6) a tractor-trailer collided with a charter bus that was en route to nearby Nipawin, carrying the Humboldt Broncos Hockey Club, killing at least 15 of the 29 on board. 

For one former Swift Current Broncos player, it’s brought back memories of a similar incident, which took place over three decades ago. 

“I’m just really trying to get a grasp on what’s happened, and slowly come to grips and to terms with it,” said Peter Soberlak, “and I think that’s what most people in Saskatchewan will be doing today, is just really trying to absorb what this means and the impact it’s going to have for a long time.”

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Soberlak was a 17-year-old winger on the 1986-87 Swift Current Broncos. 

On December 30, 1986, the Broncos team bus crashed, killing four of Soberlak’s teammates. When he heard the news about the tragedy on the roads near Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Soberlak was devastated. 

“It’s tragic, and I just feel so much anguish for the families, and the victims, and the survivors, and the first responders, and everybody involved in such a horrific scene. There are going to be long-lasting effects from this tragedy.”

Word of the crash spread quickly across the country, and responses have been pouring in. 

On Twitter, players and teams have been tweeting their support for the families and the Broncos organization. 

Nipawin Hawks General Manager and Head Coach Doug Johnson says his organization will do whatever it can to help the community of Humboldt through this trying time. 

“It’s just a jumbled mess right now,” Johnson said, “it’s disbelief, it’s something beyond a nightmare, and just trying to put pieces back together and do what we can to help the Humboldt Broncos.”

Among the deceased are Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan, team captain Logan Schatz, 16-year-old player Adam Herold, and the team’s radio broadcaster Tyler Bieber. 

The 14 others onboard were taken to the hospital, and some are in critical condition. 

For those who survived the crash, Soberlak says it’s important they allow themselves to grieve. 

“It’s going to be a long road,” Soberlak said. “This is a catastrophic and tragic event that is beyond belief from a lot of our perspectives, and it still hasn’t really sunk in. I think it’s important that we slowly accept and try to focus our efforts and attention on the families who have lost their loved ones and the survivors and everyone that’s involved with something like this. It takes ia toll. I’m always thinking of first responders who have to deal with this as well. It’s going to be a tough one.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up, which has already surpassed $1.6 million to help the families and the community with any expenses incurred throughout this difficult time.