Manitoba community to pray for loved ones killed in a highway accident
DAUPHIN, Man. – The residents of Dauphin, Man., are expected to take solace today at church services, where they mourn 15 members of the community who died in a traffic accident that also left 10 seriously injured.
Father Brent Kuzyk of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. George says part of his liturgy will be dedicated to the victims of the crash.
He says he intends to pray for those who died and address the overall suffering of the community.
The Ukrainian Church is one of several places of worship in Dauphin that will address the tragedy during their regular Sunday services.
Deacon Frances Stewart of St. Paul’s Anglican Church says she will hold a moment of silence for the departed.
She says now is a time to offer comfort and compassion as people grieve.
“As Christians, we have this wonderful hope, this wonderful promise of the life to come. But at this stage, the most important thing is to just get through the first few days and then be there for the months and years to come,” Stewart said.
RCMP continues to investigate the fiery crash Thursday between a transport truck and a minivan transporting senior citizens from the Dauphin area to a casino near Carberry, Man., some 120 miles away.
Mounties have said the truck was traveling east on the Trans-Canada Highway when the minibus crossed south at an intersection.
Investigators have not yet spoken to the driver of the bus, who remains in hospital with nine other survivors.
Kuzyk said he has spent the past few days in senior complexes praying with people. Some of the victims lived in the facilities.
“Just being able to verbalize what they’re feeling always helps,” he said. “Because it’s such a small community, everyone knew someone on that bus or even had family on the bus.”
He said that coming together, praying for those who died and then burying them is part of the healing process.
“As we begin to heal, we gain strength, we begin to understand, and we can prepare our lives for the next step,” he said.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 18, 2023.
