A spokesman for Saskatchewan害羞草研究所檚 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 coroner害羞草研究所檚 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 Broncos害羞草研究所� bus crash
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He says the coroner害羞草研究所檚 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 Saskatchewan害羞草研究所檚 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, Tobin害羞草研究所檚 family had tweeted that their son was alive.
害羞草研究所淭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,害羞草研究所� Rhonda Clarke Tobin wrote.
Meanwhile, Labelle害羞草研究所檚 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 team害羞草研究所檚 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 he害羞草研究所檚 received has been helpful.
害羞草研究所淎lthough reality hasn害羞草研究所檛 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,害羞草研究所� he wrote.
He also said that he was lucky to be in the condition he was.
害羞草研究所淭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,害羞草研究所� 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
害羞草研究所� Michelle Straz (@MichelleStraz)
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