RCMP release names of Manitoba highway crash victims
Manitoba RCMP have released the names of the 16 people who died following a crash involving a semi-truck and a minibus on the Trans-Canada Highway.
First responders and family members placed large photos of the deceased at the front of a news conference Thursday afternoon, one week following the deadly crash.
Their names are:
- Claudia Zurba, 87;
- Patsy Zamrykut, 88;
- Lillian Stobbe, 73;
- Donna Showdra, 79;
- Jean Rosenkranz, 82;
- Frank Perzylo, 82
- Rose Perzylo, 80;
- Shirley Novalkowski, 76;
- Nettie Nakonechny, 87;
- Dianne Medwid, 70;
- Arlene Lindquist, 68;
- Helen Kufley, 88;
- Ann Hill, 81;
- Vangie Gilchrist, 83;
- Margaret Furkalo, 82; and
- Louis Bretecher, 81.
“There’s been a cloud over this community since the collision occurred,” said Supt. Jeff Asmundson, West District Commander with the Manitoba RCMP. “We’ve lost 16 people who are mothers, fathers, sisters, grandparents, whose decades of contributions helped make this community what it is. They were gone in an instant.”
The minibus was carrying a group from Dauphin and the surrounding area to a casino in Carberry, when it went into the path of a semi-truck at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 5.
Nine people remain in hospital, with four in critical condition.
“Hearts are broken, families are grieving, a community is feeling immeasurable loss,” Asmundson said. “The communities of Carberry and Dauphin will be forever connected.”
Several family members shared written messages memorializing their lost loved ones at the service.
“She was and always will be the cornerstone of our family, the one we always went to for advice and wisdom, and we will miss her terribly,” wrote the family of Helen Kufley, who thanked the first responders for their work.
The family of Louis Bretecher described him as a proud and beloved husband, father and pépère.
“He will forever be missed and always remembered by all who knew and loved him. Our hearts lay also with those families who are grieving alongside ours.”
The family of Nettie Nakonechny said she was a former school teacher, a long-time resident of Dauphin and, “Baba to not only her own grandchildren and great grandchildren, but to many others who knew her.”
“She was very proud of her Ukrainian culture. She will be missed by all of us who loved her,” the family wrote.
A vigil for the community is taking place at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Cabinet minister and longtime MP Dominic LeBlanc not running for Liberal party leadership
Longtime cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc will not be running to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the Liberals, he announced in a statement posted to social media on Wednesday.
Doug Ford to make announcement after telling Trump that Canada is 'not for sale' in Fox News appearance
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is set to make an announcement Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after appearing on another U.S. network to rebuff incoming president Donald Trump’s threat of acquiring Canada as the 51st state.
LIVE UPDATES Tracking the L.A. wildfires: Four major fires at 0% containment, locals describe 'terrifying' escape
A series of wildfires are searing through the Los Angeles area, forcing many to evacuate their homes. Follow along here for the latest updates. Numerous buildings were destroyed and nearly 3,000 acres burned in the Pacific Palisades. Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate further through today.
How does Canada rank among the world's most powerful passports?
A new global ranking may raise doubts about Canada's reputation of being open to other countries.
Is Donald Trump kidding? Americans in Canada react to tariff, annexation threats
While Donald Trump's comments on tariffs and Canada becoming 'the 51st state' have drawn anger and fear among Canadians, reaction from Americans who live, study or work in Canada has been mixed, and is largely influenced by how they voted in the presidential election.
Hollywood stars forced to flee amid devastating Los Angeles wildfires
Large parts of Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders Wednesday as massive wildfires spread through the megacity's hilltop suburbs. Here is what some of the stars are seeing from their backyards.
4 generations on 1 lot: One family's creative response to B.C.'s housing crisis
A single lot in Delta, B.C., that used to be home to a single rancher built in the 80s is the site of four separate homes, housing four generations of the same family.
'What are we talking about?' Experts respond to Trump's 'economic force' comments
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's threats to use 'economic force' against Canada and its industries are sparking worry and disbelief.
Ottawa police constable demoted following impaired driving crash in police vehicle
An Ottawa police constable has been demoted for 22 months in connection to an impaired driving crash while in an unmarked police vehicle on St. Patrick's Day last year.