TRU volleyball team honors fallen teammates, returns to court amid tragedy
On a cold November evening, an eerie silence descended on the vibrant campus of Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia. A catastrophic car accident near campus on November 29 killed a TRU volleyball player Owen McInnes And his colleagues were seriously injured Riley Burns And Owen Waterhouse.
A night of unexpected tragedy
The horror unfolded when the trio’s car, which stopped at a red light, collided with a truck that had already collided with several trees and another vehicle. This initial collision led to secondary collisions involving four other vehicles. Following this, McInnis was pronounced dead at the scene, while Brennen Waterhouse was taken to hospital in critical condition.
Resume playing and honoring friends
Despite the traumatic incident, the TRU volleyball team returned to the court at the Duckworth Center, its first match since the accident. A minute of silence, before the match, reflected the team’s collective grief and resilience. Coach Pat Henley They stressed the importance of their decision to continue playing, and highlighted the therapeutic potential of sport during such a crisis.
Support is flowing in the midst of recovery
Brennen, who is now in a Vancouver hospital with a spinal cord injury, has been transferred to a rehabilitation centre, signaling a hopeful step in his recovery. Waterhouse, who remains in a coma, showed scattered signs of improvement, raising hope among the team and fans. The TRU women’s team also returned to the field to pick up the win with Brooklyn Olfert playing a pivotal role.
Back on campus, a celebration of life is planned for McInnis, honoring his contribution to the team and the university. Meanwhile, the team has received overwhelming support from fans, family and Canada West coaches. GoFundMe campaigns have been launched to raise critical funds to cover the players’ hospitalized medical expenses.
As the TRU volleyball team grapples with its loss, their courage to return to the court is a testament to their resilience, honoring teammates who have fallen or been injured while navigating this complex journey of healing and recovery.