One never really knows, do they?
We can be laughing and joking one minute, then in a blink it can be gone.
Our closely-knit community is reeling in a state of shock and is in mourning after learning about the tragic events of last evening.
Two teenage girls, one of them a friend and classmate of Beth's and the other from a town north of here, were on their way home from Calgary in their SUV when they were involved in a fatal accident - both girls were pronounced dead at the scene.
It happened on a stretch of highway through Kootenay National Park on a snowy and treacherous descent from Storm Mountain about and hour and a half from here. The young driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle on the ice whereupon it crossed the centre line into an oncoming fully-loaded mine truck. According to the semi driver, it happened so fast that there was no time to react. He is in hospital at present recovering from non life-threatening injuries.
Ironically, the truck driver is also a local man.
Beth's friend leaves behind her Mum and Dad, one older and three younger sisters, a young niece, more extended family and many friends.
The high school has been let out so the children may go and spend precious time with family and to have a chance to think and somehow come to grips with this tragedy.
Beth is devastated - as are we.
Please God, accept my prayers for Carley, her family and for her friends.
What a horrible tragedy, hearts and prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteWhen something like this happens, it is beyond, devasting!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers to your Beth......and prayers for all those who are grieving.
-Sue
I'm so sorry Dale...it's so hard to think of something to say.
ReplyDeleteI will pray for the girls and all of the families connected to them.
Take care,
Sue D.
Oh, Dale, I'm terribly sorry for the girl and her family, and for how devastated Beth must be. There is no greater loss than a young life.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to your community tonight- the driver must be beside himself with grief, as must the families of both young girls.
Take care, hon,
AM
Words fail me.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you all - especially Beth - losing friends is tough beyond belief
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bex
Thank you all for your gentle condolences, thoughts and prayers and words of wisdom and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI will hold my family close and be thankful.
Dale - I read this just before leaving for work and was too upset to respond right away as my heart goes out to my favourite teenage niece Beth, the two girl's families and your entire community.
ReplyDeleteThe sudden loss of someone close to you can be a shock to a community and make us realize how precious life is. Yes, hold your family close in the next few days and thank god for all that she has given you.
I remember how devastated Ian was when his best friend was killed in a car accident during university and how devastated I was when a good friend died the same way. Words can't really convey my sorrow and feelings I have for the five of you. Just let Beth know that I love her and my thoughts are with her (and you all) during this tough time.
I, of course, really know how it feels to have someone really close to me die and although this is a huge cliche - time does heal.
With all my heartfelt love ...
Hi Dale,
ReplyDeleteAs I said over on Rachel's blog, this is the food of nightmares. My eldest daughter is only a year away from a licence of her own, and while I celebrate the independence she and her friends will have, I imagine I'm in for a fair few sleepless nights waiting for her to get home safely ...
Again, love to you and Beth, and to the families ... I wish them strength, memories of happy times together, and the love and support of friends like you.
I'm so deeply sorry Dale. I came across this morning with the smile ready on my face in anticipation of some fun, and then I read your account and I died inside for you all. This is the most tragic and awful of all events. As a parent, the loss of a child is something my mind cannot get to grips with, but in South Africa, this kind of accident happens all to often, and my own daughters have lost dear friends in the same way.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you all and especially to the girls' parents, and of course to your Beth who has to cope with such tragedy at such close quarters. Big huddles xxxxxxx
Really sorry about this, Dale.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the worst nightmares for parents.
Hi Dale,
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so sorry ot hear about this. These things are always tragedies, but even more so when they happen to people so young. I'll say a prayer for them....
Love and prayers to you and your loved ones.
ReplyDeleteTake Care, Dale
Elizabeth
An extra hug coming your way....Gypsy's computer's in need of treatment, so in her absence I'll be her surrogate hugger...my thoughts are with you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteDale,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for what happened! I can't think of anything to say either, but you are all in my prayers.
Dale,
ReplyDeleteI don't know where to begin. All I can say is I am so sorry for this awful tragedy. My prayers are with the family and also with your Beth and the closeknit community you have. But special prayers go to the girl's moms. I said this on Rachel's blog and I will say it here. Losing a child sucks. No one should ever have to go through that. I will pray for them.
XO
Zoe
Dear Dale,
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with you and the families. These are such hard experiences, and the grief journeys will be hard ones for everyone. I'm thankful you are in a community which honors each life. It's very moving to read that the schools closed and that you are all pulling close together.
Hugs and love,
Brina
Dear Dale,
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say that once the funerals and initial grief have ended, if you are able, it would help the bereaved parents to hear about support groups for parents who've lost a child. I know it helped me immensely, at first after Ethan died and then later when I was "further along" in my grief, I went more as a survivor to show the newly bereaved folks that you do survive it.
It's the worst loss a parent can imagine, and it changes you forever, of course. The company of other bereaved parents is invaluable.
There are groups in every community, some called Compassionate Friends and some are church-based or even hospital-based. Please let me know if you need more info. Thanks for letting me express that.
Love, Brina (always Ethan's mom, though he's been in heaven for 10 years now)