‘I want to prove them wrong’: Paralyzed Humboldt Bronco hopes to walk again

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CALGARY, AB. (NEWS 1130) – He’s paralyzed from the chest down, but a Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor is hoping to someday walk again.

Ryan Straschnitski, 19, spoke from a Calgary hospital today about his recovery from the April 6 bus crash in Saskatchewan that killed 16 people and left more than a dozen hurt.

“Some people have said I won’t be able to, but I kind of want to prove them wrong,” says Straschnitski.

He adds his physiotherapy is going well and while it is painful, he is aiming to spend more time in a wheelchair.

Straschnitski says he’s growing closer to the other surviving members of his team and they stay in close contact, in case anyone needs to talk.

As for the day that changed his life, he only recalls briefly seeing a semi-truck before waking up and wanting to help his teammates, but unable to move. “I have my moments… think about it and let out some emotion. But I’m not thinking about it constantly. I’ll be mindful of it, but for now, I’m just trying to push through and get better for those guys that didn’t make it.”


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In total, 16 people died, including 10 players, and another 13 were injured after a transport truck and the bus taking the

Humboldt Broncos to a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoff game collided at a rural intersection.

Saskatchewan RCMP say it may be weeks if not months before investigators can determine what caused the collision.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Curtis Zablocki says Mounties will be looking at all aspects of the crash to figure out what happened. “This is a very involved investigation and due to the large amount of evidence, information and the number of victims this work will take some time,” said Zablocki earlier this month.

He adds experts are looking into three areas: environmental factors such as road conditions and visibility, the mechanics of both vehicles and the role of the drivers.

Zablocki notes police can say that the semi was in the intersection at the time of the collision – but why remains to be seen.
Investigators have recovered the engine control modules from both vehicles and sent them to California to check for such things as speed and brake application.

The truck driver involved in the crash wasn’t hurt. He was held at the scene temporarily before being released. The company he works for is currently suspended from operating.

Meantime, the GoFundMe page, created to help victims’ families closed last week having raised more than $15 million. The initial goal was $10,000.

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