Beaumont mourns victims of highway crash
The three young men killed in a highway crash south of Beaumont, Alta., are being remembered as great friends who could always make people laugh.
"We all had the greatest times," he said. "(They would) make us laugh and do stupid, funny things.
"We have to support all the families…and give it all for them because that’s what they did for everyone else," he said outside of Beaumont Composite High School where Bradley Arsenault and Kole Novak graduated last year.
Arsenault and Novak, both 18, along with Thaddeus Lake, 22, were killed when the car they were in rolled on Highway 625 south of Beaumont, southeast of Edmonton.
A fourth man critically injured when his pickup truck rolled in the same accident is now in stable condition.
Crash investigators believe both vehicles were travelling east at the time of the crash. They also believe alcohol and speed were involved.
The school brought in counsellors Monday to help students and staff.
"Because of the impact of this particular tragedy, our staff is quite at risk here," said principal John Mair.
Space was also set aside in the library for students to gather with pictures of the victims and sign a book of condolences.
"It’s a real loss," said Mair, describing Arsenault and Novak as great kids, good school members who worked hard in school, and whose teachers spoke fondly of them.
Stephanie Clements lived across the street from Arsenault and Novak and remembered their kindness and generosity when her sister died in a highway crash two years ago.
"They were always there for us," she said at a roadside memorial near the crash site. "It just hurts to have to see someone in the same neighbourhood go through the same thing."