High school footballers injured in collision
By None on October 13, 2018.
Tim Kalinowski Lethbridge Heraldtkalinowski@lethbridgeherald.com Five Magrath students who play football for the Raymond Comets high school football team remained in hospital Friday after a three-vehicle collision near Raymond late Thursday afternoon. According to the Raymond RCMP, at approximately 5:45 p.m Thursday, a northbound white truck hauling a trailer on Highway 5 collided with a westbound truck entering Highway 52. The collision also involved a third southbound car. The five young football players, who have been identified by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Magrath as members Nate Dick, Mason Stock, Garrett Stock, Jaxon Gruninger and Hale Ogden, were all in the westbound truck when the collision occurred. According to the RCMP, two of the youths were transported to Lethbridge Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The other three youths were transported to a Calgary hospital, two flown by STARS and one driven by EMS. Of these three, two have serious, but non-life threatening injuries and one has serious, life threatening injuries, the RCMP confirmed. The lone male occupant of the white northbound truck was treated for minor injuries on scene and released. The female driver of the car was transported to hospital in Lethbridge by EMS with non-life threatening injuries. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident. The Westwind School Division released a statement about the accident on Friday. “In the aftermath of the serious accident that occurred last night involving five of our students, we have spent the day working to support our school community during this difficult time,” it reads. “We recognize that many of our staff and students have been deeply impacted by this news and we are committed to continuing to provide support for them into next week. We join with the community in extending an outpouring of caring, compassion and support for our students who have been injured and their families.” The school division also confirmed in an earlier statement counselling and support was provided to students and staff at Magrath High School, Stirling School and Raymond High School on Friday. The scheduled football game between Raymond High Comets and the Catholic Central High Cougars Friday evening was also cancelled by mutual agreement between the two schools. 14-13
