Tragic Alberta Crash Claims Lives of Three Junior Hockey Players
Two junior hockey players from Kamloops, British Columbia, were among three athletes killed in a devastating collision with a semi-truck in Alberta on Monday morning. The Southern Alberta Mustangs organization confirmed the heartbreaking loss of three team members who were traveling to practice when the accident occurred.
Details of the Fatal Collision
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the collision happened at approximately 11 a.m. when a semi-truck hauling gravel collided with a small passenger vehicle carrying the three hockey players. The driver of the semi-truck, a 40-year-old man, sustained only minor injuries in the crash.
Tragically, all three passengers in the smaller vehicle died at the scene. The victims have been identified as 18-year-old Cameron Casorso and 18-year-old JJ Wright, both from Kamloops, British Columbia, along with 17-year-old Carson Fine from Alabama.
Community and Team Response
The Southern Alberta Mustangs organization released an emotional statement expressing profound grief over the loss. "There are no words that can adequately express the depth of our grief," the team wrote in a social media post.
"These young men were more than hockey players — they were teammates, sons, brothers, friends, and deeply loved members of our Mustangs family and the communities we call home."
The organization emphasized that they are coordinating with law enforcement agencies while requesting privacy and compassion for the grieving families. "Our hearts are with the families, friends, billet families, teammates, coaches, and everyone who loved them," the statement continued. "We ask that their families be given privacy and compassion as they navigate this devastating loss. We are a family, and today our family is hurting."
Team Background and Confirmation
The Kamloops Minor Hockey Association confirmed the identities of the two local players in a statement to Kelowna media outlet Castanet. The Southern Alberta Mustangs are based in Stavely, approximately one hour south of Calgary, and compete in the U.S. Premier Hockey League.
This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through multiple hockey communities, from Kamloops in British Columbia to Alabama in the United States, highlighting the tight-knit nature of junior hockey organizations and the profound impact such losses have on players, families, and supporters across North America.
The investigation into the exact circumstances of the collision continues as authorities work to determine the factors that led to this devastating outcome. The hockey world now mourns three promising young athletes whose lives were cut short while pursuing their passion for the sport they loved.
