MAGRATH, Alta. — Students at a southern Alberta high school had a solemn start to the week after four of their classmates were killed in a car crash on the weekend.
Grief counsellors were called it to help students at the school in Magrath cope with the deaths of 14-year-old Danae Gough, 14-year-old Jorden Miller, Clay Card, 16, and Renzo Dainard, 16.
The four teens were killed when the car they were in rolled from the road and crashed into a creek east of Magrath, about 210 kilometres southeast of Calgary.
The two girls were in Grade 9 and the boys were in Grade 11.
On Monday, teachers and students talked about the loss and tables were set up in the hallway for students and parents to sign cards and write condolence messages.
Police say alcohol was not a factor and believe driver inexperience and speed played a role in the crash.
“Just believe speed is most likely the cause of it, based on where it was, and they cleared the little creek that was there, so we think they had a little bit of speed to it,” said RCMP Const. Nathan Moore.
There was a candlelight vigil held Sunday night and about 500 people showed up.
“They always had something nice to say and they could always make you feel great about yourself even if you felt down,” said Ciana Travagelia, a classmate of the dead teens.
Other southern Alberta school districts are also offering counsellors and resources to aid students.
“It’s a really hard day today to just go and see the desks where people used to sit and they’re not there anymore,” said Sara, who didn’t want her last name used.