Services Today for Two Teens Killed In Highway Crash

By 250 News

Rembrance services will be held today for two of the victims of last Sunday's tragic crash on Highway 97 .

The service for 14 year old Seref Pearson will be held at 11:00 this morning at the Native Friendship Centre.  The service for 13 year old Ashley Ross has been set for 3:00 this afternoon at Assman’s Funeral Chapel.

Three young people died last Sunday night when a Ford SUV driven by a 24 year old male  flipped and landed in a ditch about 30 km north of Quesnel.  Two of the victims were not discovered for a full 14 hours after the accident.

School District 57 says two of the three young people who died, were students in two Prince George Schools.  "One of the teens who died was a student at John McInnis, one had just started PGSS but had been at Lakewood and it appears the third young person was not enrolled in school." says District Superintendent Brian Pepper.

Pepper says schools often hear the news from students "Sometimes they will seek out counsellors or the Principal to tell them something  horrible has happened."  Once the information has been confirmed, the School District has a support plan it can put into effect.  "If it involves highschool aged students, then counsellors within the shool will be made available for students to talk to but we also have school psychologists and Aboriginal education workers who can be of assistance." 

Aboriginal workers at Lakewood have already held a special  healing, speaking circle so students connected with one of the victims could share their grief.

Pepper says the School District also has a contract with Walmsley and Associates to offer grief counselling to staff.

In this case, Pepper says the tragedy was bigger than the school setting and he believes several community agencies have stepped forward to offer help to family and friends who are trying to cope with the  loss.  "This is a very caring community" says Pepper "People always spring into action when there is a  need and I believe they have done so this time."

Meantime, at  the schools where two of the victims had ties or classes, staff have been advised to keep an eye open for any signs of distress from fellow students who may be having difficulties coping with the loss. 

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