Thompson Rivers University has released a statement confirming the death of one of three WolfPack men’s volleyball team members in a car accident on McGill Road on Wednesday afternoon.
TRU president Brett Fairbairn addressed the community in the statement, which was sent by email Thursday morning.
“It is hard to find words that express how we feel in these moments, in the face of such inexplicable tragedy. Our most sincere thoughts are with their families and loved ones, and on behalf of TRU, I offer our deepest condolences,” Fairbairn wrote.
The players’ vehicle, a Volkswagen, was stopped at a red light when it was struck by a Dodge Ram pickup truck, which also collided with several small trees and creating secondary crashes with four other vehicles, according to a statement released by the Kamloops RCMP.
“The three young adults in the Volkswagen were all members of the community in their 20s, and the loss is sure to have far reaching impacts as we struggle to understand what happened and advance the active investigation as a priority,” said Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley.
Police are asking anyone with dashcam footage or other videos that have not been shared with police to contact them at 250-828-3000 and cite file number 2023-42279.
Seven BC Emergency Health Services ambulances responded to the scene and cared for a total of seven patients, who were transported to hospital. Three were in critical condition and four were transported in stable condition.
The two other WolfPack players were in critical condition following the accident and their current condition is unknown.
In his statement, Fairbairn also said students can access a counsellor at all hours of the day through the Keep.MEsafe app as well as on campus.
Students seeking counselling should contact the faculty of student development in Old Main room 1631 or by calling 250-828-5023.
“During this difficult time, please remember to support one another,” Fairbairn wrote.
All WolfPack games have since been postponed.