A spokesman for Saskatchewan91裸聊视频檚 Ministry of Justice says authorities mixed up the identities of one of the deceased and one of the survivors in the Humboldt Broncos crash, partly because the players all had blond dyed hair and similar builds.
Drew Wilby says the coroner91裸聊视频檚 office mistook the body of 18-year-old goalie Parker Tobin for that of Xavier Labelle.
Labelle is injured but alive, and Tobin is among the 15 people who died when the bus carrying the junior hockey team collided with a semi truck in northeastern Saskatchewan on Friday.
Wilby says dental records are the best way to identify deceased but those can take days to track down, especially given the hockey players were from all over western Canada.
Related: B.C. hockey chaplain helps community grieve after Humboldt Broncos91裸聊视频� bus crash
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He says the coroner91裸聊视频檚 office was following a standard procedure to identify the victims but it was difficult since the players had all dyed their hair blond for the playoff run, were all around the same age and had the same athletic build.
Wilby says the mistake is unprecedented in Saskatchewan91裸聊视频檚 history and the families affected have been very understanding.
The Humboldt Broncos were on their way to a playoff game Friday in Nipawin when the crash occurred.
Fourteen people were injured in the collision.
Over the weekend, Tobin91裸聊视频檚 family had tweeted that their son was alive.
91裸聊视频淭his is one of the hardest posts I have ever had to make. Parker is stable at the moment and being airlifted to Saskatoon hospital,91裸聊视频� Rhonda Clarke Tobin wrote.
Meanwhile, Labelle91裸聊视频檚 family had confirmed his death over the weekend, with his brother writing in an Instagram post that he was heartbroken.
News of the mistake comes a day after a solemn vigil was held at the team91裸聊视频檚 home arena, where thousands gathered to remember the deceased.
Among those in attendance was Nick Shumlanski, the first of the Broncos to be released from hospital.
On Sunday night, he tweeted out a statement saying the support he91裸聊视频檚 received has been helpful.
91裸聊视频淎lthough reality hasn91裸聊视频檛 really set in yet, it is truly devastating to have lost so many close friends, brothers and amazing coaches. Times are tough right now but the support you all have shown is so amazing,91裸聊视频� he wrote.
He also said that he was lucky to be in the condition he was.
91裸聊视频淭he doctor told me it was truly a miracle that I was able to get up and walk away from the accident with very minor injuries and a couple of scars on my body,91裸聊视频� he said.
Related: Forward Conner Lukan killed in Humboldt Broncos team bus crash
The Canadian Press
We are so moved by the 鉂わ笍 and support. Thank you all and every single human and canine who have been here (and there) with love
91裸聊视频� Michelle Straz (@MichelleStraz)
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