In the wake of a collision which killed a Sorrento father and his two daughters, and injured a mother and son, communities of the Shuswap will have a chance to share the loss.
Three members of the Janzen family were killed after a head-on collision in Rosetown, Sask. Sunday afternoon.
RCMP say at approximately 12:20 p.m. a westbound car attempted to pass a semi-truck and collided head-on with an eastbound SUV.
Doug Janzen, 47, and his daughter Alli, 19, died at the scene while, Cassidy, 13, was taken to hospital first in Rosetown and then to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The two other family members in the car remain in hospital. Patricia Janzen is in critical condition, while her 16-year-old son Cody is injured but RCMP report he is expected to make a full recovery.
A Community Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, June 30 at 2 p.m. at the Sorrento/Blind Bay Ball Park. Everyone is welcome. Organizers suggest people feel free to bring your own chairs as well as food to share amongst everyone.
There will be a message box there for anyone who would like to write something to Pat and Cody, who are likely still to be in Saskatchewan.
Flowers can be put at the entrance gate of the Janzen’s home.
In addition, a trust fund has been set up to help with expenses.
All donations can be put into the trust fund for Pat and Cody Janzen available at the Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union at the Sicamous, Salmon Arm and Sorrento branches.
In addition to the loss of the three Janzen family members, one of the occupants of the eastbound SUV has now died.
Ryan Bridger, 30, of Plato, Sask. died in hospital Tuesday afternoon. He was the driver of the SUV that collided with the Janzen’s vehicle on Highway 7.
It appears weather conditions were a primary factor in the crash.
“There were heavy rains here Saturday and Sunday and it was raining quite hard at the time of the crash. It appears the spray off the semi was quite heavy and obscured the driver’s visibility,” says Sgt. Ian Skinner of the Rosetown RCMP detachment.
Skinner notes all five members of the Janzen family were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
“There were no ejections, but damage to their vehicle was extreme.”
Alli was attending school at Okanagan College, after graduating from Salmon Arm Secondary last year, while Cassidy attended Carlin Elementary/Middle School.
The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District #83 crisis team has been dispatched to several schools to try to help students and staff cope with the tragic accident.
Superintendent Dave Witt said the crisis team went to the schools on Monday morning and will stay as needed.
“Our hearts go out to the family and community as they deal with this tragedy and work through this difficult time,” adds Witt.
Tributes and condolences from friends and neighbours also poured in on Facebook sites.
Laura Spengler writes: “RIP Alli Doug and Cassidy – you will always be remembered by everyone. Your family touched many hearts and gave me memories that I will never forget. I know you are looking down on us and smiling, trying to tell us it will be okay. It’s just such a shock.”