Families cope after parents killed

A fatal crash that killed the parents of five Winnipeg boys on Sunday was the second collision to orphan a Manitoba family this year.

On Jan. 23, David Dik, 38, and his wife Elisabeth Dik, 35, were killed in a highway crash near Steinbach, Man., leaving behind 11 children.

The family had been living in La Broquerie, Man., about 60 kilometres south of Winnipeg.

'We have some pictures from Christmas [of David and Elisabeth] and then the children see the pictures and then they have some problems.' —Jakob Dik

David's brother Jakob Dik stepped forward to adopt all 11 children, now aged from two years old to 17.

He told CBC News the children have adapted well, though there are moments when the emotional scars surface.

"We have some pictures from Christmas [of David and Elisabeth], and then the children see the pictures, and then they have some problems," he said.

There were also some legal problems, because the Diks had no will. It was only two months ago, in September, that Jakob finally won guardianship of the children.

Then there was more paperwork to enable Jakob to draw upon a trust fund that had been established to help provide for the children.

On top of that, Jakob has four children of his own — two of whom have since married and moved out.

With Christmas coming, the house in Kleefeld, Man., about 30 kilometres west of La Broquerie, will be a busy place.

With 15 people already living there — Jakob, his wife and the 13 children — any holiday visitors will make for some extremely crammed quarters.

And Jakob wouldn't have it any other way.

Help coming for Dubois family

Meanwhile, help is on the way for Jordan Dubois and his four brothers, whose parents died Sunday on a Saskatchewan highway.

Manitoba Public Insurance said its Personal Injury Protection Plan will help cover the family's needs.

MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said money is put into reserves to cover people in situations like that.

"They will be receiving benefits for the span of their lifetime. Literally, in some situations, the reserves can be millions and millions of dollars," he said.

Death payments, funeral costs, grief counselling, loss of wages and any costs due to disabilities will be covered, Smiley said.

Marcel and Brenda Dubois, both 38, were killed Sunday when their minivan was struck head-on by a car about one kilometre east of Saltcoats, Sask., on Highway 16 — the Yellowhead Highway.

The Winnipeg couple and four of their sons were in Yorkton for a taekwondo tournament.

Jordan Dubois, who wasn't along for the trip, said his brother Matthew, 13, has a brain injury, while another brother, Jarret, 14, is paralyzed from the waist down.

His 16-year-old and nine-year-old brothers were taken to hospital in Yorkton for treatment.

The 17-year-old Yorkton girl driving the car that struck the minivan was also killed. The crash occurred when she attempted to pass another vehicle.

Jordan Dubois said his parents would do anything for their children, and he intends to try filling their role in raising his brothers.

He intends to take over Dubois Delivery Service, his dad's courier and messenger business, and has informed the employees that it will be shut down for a week or two while he arranges the legal documents to change everything into his name.

A trust fund has also been set up for the family. Financial donations can be made at Scotiabanks across the country.

Donations are also being accepted by mail at Iron Fist Tae Kwon Do, 675 Archibald St., Winnipeg, MB, R2J 0Y9. Cheques can be made payable to: "In trust for the Dubois family."