Survivor of ’86 bus crash, lending support to Humboldt survivors and families

By Mike Vlasveld

One of the survivors of a fatal hockey team bus crash, more than 30 years ago, is drawing on his tragic experience to help those injured in the Humboldt incident.

Bob Wilkie played for the Swift Current Broncos in 1986 when its bus crashed, killing four people on board.

“You know you have an experience of tragedy and then something like [the Humboldt crash] happens and it all comes flooding back.”

He told Ottawa Today with Mark Sutcliffe, he is hoping to help the players in last week's collision, and their families, through the heartbreak.
    
He added that he had an incredible amount of survivor's guilt after the incident in '86, and expects these Humboldt boys will too.  The only difference is, today, the condolences pouring in on social media.

“What a fantastic change in 30 years, [for people] to be able to, in an instant, share their thoughts, their love and their support,” he explained.

Wilkie warned however, that the healing will take a long time, and for many and the darkest times are ahead. That is when they will need to reach out to their peers and professionals for support.

Listen to the full conversation with Bob Wilkie:

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