Remembering the victims of the fatal Manitoba bus crash
CBC News | Posted: June 22, 2023 9:05 PM | Last Updated: January 9, 2024
Victims of crash were seniors on a day trip to casino before collision near Carberry
Family, friends and community members are grappling with losing their loved ones in one of Manitoba's deadliest crashes.
Seventeen people died after a semi-trailer collided with a small bus that was carrying about 25 people — most of whom were seniors from in and around the western Manitoba city of Dauphin, about 150 kilometres north of Carberry — on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Ten survivors — six women and four men who ranged in age from their early 60s to late 80s — were rushed to hospital after the crash. Two of those people later died in hospital.
The significant injuries suffered by those who died in the crash made it difficult to identify them individually, and the Manitoba RCMP did not officially publicly confirm the identities of those who died until Thursday, June 22.
"Hearts are broken, families are grieving, a community is feeling immeasurable loss," said Supt. Jeff Asmundson, Manitoba RCMP west district commander, during a news conference Thursday, where the victims' names were read aloud and families placed photos of their loved ones alongside other victims' pictures.
"The impact of this loss will be felt for a long time to come."
Louis Bretecher, 81
Louis Bretecher was a proud husband, father and grandfather who was greatly loved by his family.
"He will be forever missed and all who knew and loved him will remember him," his family said in a statement provided by RCMP.
Margaret Furkalo, 82
Margaret Furkalo, 82, is one of the people who died following the collision. "Forever in our hearts," reads a statement her family provided to RCMP.
Vangie Gilchrist, 83, Gilbert Plains
Vangie Gilchrist, 83, from Gilbert Plains, Man., is one of the people who died following the collision.
Ann Hill, 81, Dauphin
Ann Hill, 81, was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, her family said in a statement provided by RCMP.
"For those wishing to remember Ann, her family asks that you hug your loved ones, cherish them and let them know how much they mean to you and how much you love them," the obituary says.
An obituary published on the Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services website says she formerly lived in Rorketon, Man.
Helen Kufley, 88, Dauphin
Helen Kufley, of Dauphin, Man., was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
"She was and always will be the cornerstone of our family, the one we always turn to for advice and wisdom, and we will miss her terribly," her family said in a statement provided by RCMP.
An obituary published on the Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services website says she formerly lived in Gilbert Plains, Man.
Arlene Lindquist, 68
Arlene Lindquist was a mother, grandmother and loving friend, her family said in a statement provided by RCMP.
Dianne Medwid, 70
Dianne Medwid, 70, is one of the people who died following the collision.
Nettie Nakonechny, 87, Dauphin
Nettie Nakonechny, 87, of Dauphin, Man., was a longtime Dauphin resident and former teacher who was very proud of her Ukrainian heritage.
She was also a beloved "baba" not only to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but also to many others who knew her, her family said in a statement provided by RCMP.
"She will be missed by all who loved her," the statement said.
Shirley Novalkowski, 76
Shirley Novalkowski, 76, was a mother, grandmother, and loving sister, her family said in a statement provided by RCMP.
Frank Perzylo, 82, and Rose Perzylo, 80, Dauphin
Frank Perzylo, 82, and Rose Perzylo, 80, from Dauphin, Man., were among the people who died following the collision.
Jean Rosenkranz, 82
Jean Rosenkranz, 82, is one of the people who died following the collision.
Donna Showdra, 79, Dauphin
Donna Showdra, 79, of Dauphin, Man. will be sadly missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her family said in a statement provided by RCMP.
An obituary published on the Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services says she formerly lived in Grandview, Man.
Lillian Stobbe, 73, Dauphin
Lillian Stobbe, 73, of Dauphin, Man., was a mother, a grandmother, and a loving friend, her family said in a statement provided to RCMP.
An obituary published on the Pathways Funeral Services website says she formerly lived in Winnipegosis, Man.
Patsy Zamrykut, 88, Dauphin
Patsy Zamrykut, 88, from Dauphin, Man., is one of the people who died following the collision.
Claudia Zurba, 87, Fork River, Man.
Claudia Zurba, 87, from Fork River, Man., was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
"You were loved beyond words and we miss you beyond measure," her family said in a statement provided by RCMP.
"We will love you forever. Our hearts were shattered that day."
Catherine Day, 79, Dauphin
Catherine "Cathy" Day, 79, of Dauphin, Man., died in a Winnipeg hospital on July 16, 2023, one month after the crash.
An obituary published on the Sneath-Strilchuk Funeral Services website described Day as a "patient and loving" mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. It said she and her husband formerly lived in Calgary, Melfort, Sask., and Valley River, Man.
WATCH | RCMP read out the names of people who died in the crash in a news conference on June 22, 2023:
Clarifications:
- This story was updated to clarify that 17 people died following the crash, including two who died in hospital. May 9, 2024 7:37 PM