Saskatchewan's Ministry of Justice said today one of the deceased in the crash that killed 15 people en route to a hockey playoff game was misidentified, partly because the players all had blond-dyed hair and similar builds.
The ministry said the body of Parker Tobin was mistaken for that of Xavier Labelle.
It said Labelle is injured but alive, and Tobin is among the deceased. The accident occurred Friday. Drew Wilby, spokesman for the ministry, said the error was discovered Sunday night.
"The new information came to light last night that raised questions with the health care professionals. In turn they were able to identify Xavier Labelle as Xavier Labelle who of course we had previously said was Parker Tobin," Wilby said.
"A lot of these boys looked alike. They had the blond hair that was supportive of their team for their playoff run. They had very similar builds and all very similar ages." Wilby and the Office of the Chief Coroner apologized for the misidentification.
"To find who they had thought was their loved one wasn't their loved one I can't even fathom," Wilby said. "I don't know enough could ever be said. All I could do is offer our sincerest apologies."
"To sit and hold the hand of a lifeless body," he said. "All I saw was darkness and hurt and anguish and fear and confusion. And I had nothing. Nothing. I'm a pastor, I'm supposed to have something."