RCMP releases horrifying death toll from fatal crash involving junior hockey team.

Tragic news out of Canada this morning...my thoughts and prayers to all involved.

It's a very sad day in the hockey world.

On Friday night a bus carrying a junior hockey team was involved in a fatal collision with a semi truck at roughly 5 p.m on Highway 335 in Saskatchewan, Canada. The crash is believed to have taken place near Gronlid according to a report from the CTV.

At the time of our initial report we have very few details regarding the incident, however it was immediately clear that the team on board the bus at the time of the incident was the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The Broncos were reportedly on their way to a game against the Nipawin Hawks, the Hawks quickly released a statement announcing the cancellation of the game following the news of the accident.

“Tonight’s game is cancelled. The accident being talked about involved Humboldt team bus. We ask during this time that you don’t send messages. When more information is given we will update,” said the Hawks via social media as per Global News.

We were also informed of the fact that STARS Air Ambulance had dispatched two helicopters to the scene, and shortly after that announcement the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that there had been multiple fatalities at the scene of the accident. Unfortunately while many were holding out hope that the news wouldn't be too bad, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has just released a horrifying update on the incident.

Here is the statement in full:

Nipawin RCMP along with police officers from the surrounding Detachments and specialized investigational support units remain on the scene of this fatal collision. Investigators have determined there were 28 people on the bus at the time of the collision, including the driver.

We can now confirm fourteen people have died as a result of this collision. The other fourteen people were sent to hospital with a variety of injuries; three of these people have injuries that are critical in nature. We are not confirming the indentity of the victims at this time, including whether the deceased are players or coaches. We will be working with our partner agencies to ensure families are notified as soon as possible and the appropriate supports are provided to families and others who are impacted by this extremely tragic incident. Our next update will be distributed by email tomorrow (April 7) at 8:00 am.

This is one of the worst hockey-related tragedies in recent memory and as a result many have been waiting impatiently for an update on the accident this evening. Unfortunately the grim reality is now that 14 people have lost their lives, and undoubtedly some of them will be young men under the age of 20 who were members of the Humboldt Broncos.

At this time we ask that you keep your thoughts on the community that has been devastated by this incident tonight, as well as those who have lost their loved ones and those three critically injuries victims who are still fighting for their lives in hospital at this time. This is a dark day that will likely be remembered for a very long time to come.

Editor's note: We received complaints earlier this evening regarding our use of a stock photo for our story on this incident. While images of the actual crash are readily available we will not be publishing them here out of respect for the victims, many of whom are presumed to be children, and their families. If you want to see those kinds of pictures there are plenty of places on the internet to do so, this is not one of them.