What started as a typical road trip to a weekend hockey tournament quickly turned into a scary situation for the U-17 AAA Southwest Cougars, who found themselves stuck on the highway for hours after a multi-car accident near Oakville.
Shianne Mc Kay, a mom accompanying the team to Winnipeg, shared that they were trapped behind the crash and couldn’t move as conditions worsened.
“We’re in Oakville because we are on our way to a hockey tournament this weekend in Winnipeg,” Mc Kay said. “We got caught behind the accident that happened with the multiple vehicle collision, and we’re just happy that Oakville opened up their doors and their community hall.”
According to Mc Kay, some of the team members were stranded on the highway for about two and a half hours, including herself and her son. The visibility was really bad, which added to everyone’s anxiety.
“I was driving very, very slow prior to the accident,” she said. “You could not see anything in front of you. It’s like everything just disappeared.”
Travellers stranded for the night at the Oakville Community Centre. (Brittany Boschman/PNN)
Mc Kay mentioned that she managed to keep in touch with a teammate driving behind her while another teammate was closer to where the crash occurred.
“Another mom, Nikki, was right behind me, so we got to keep each other company,” she said. “Our other teammate was a little bit further ahead and she was kind of involved a little bit in the accident. She got nicked.”
The injured mom wasn’t seriously hurt and is expected to be fine, Mc Kay confirmed.
The hardest part for Mc Kay was dealing with fear and uncertainty while being stranded far from home with limited updates.
“It was a very scary feeling,” she said. “There was high anxiety at times… You just had to go on blind faith.”
The situation took a turn for the better when locals stepped up by opening up their community center, offering food, shelter, and safety for those affected.
“We’re well entertained, well fed, and we’re going to be okay,” Mc Kay said gratefully about their support.
This experience served as an important reminder for Mc Kay about slowing down and prioritizing safety.
“There’s nothing in this world that’s that important for your life,” she said.
Ahead of cleanup efforts continuing after the incident, the Cougars hope to continue their journey home to Souris once conditions improve while carrying with them an inspiring story of community support during tough times.
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