A survivor of the accident that decimated the Humboldt Broncos teamlast spring was involved in a second collision after a physiotherapy session last week.
Ryan Straschnitzki is one of 13 people who survived the tragedy on April 6 when 16 people lost their lives in a truck collision with the team bus in Saskatchewan.
This nightmare came back to haunt the young man. "Earlier this week, Ryan was returning from a physiotherapy / rehabilitation session in Calgary when his transit bus was involved in a collision," said his mother, Michelle Straschnitzki, on his Facebook page on Friday.
The accident occurred while the bus was in traffic near Airdrie, north of Calgary. The bus was then hit from behind by a vehicle. The impact was violent enough to throw Ryan down from his wheelchair on the floor of the adapted bus.
The teenager was able to call his father after the accident, a difficult experience for parents.
"Worse than that, the accident fueled his severe post-traumatic stress disorder, bringing him back to April 6," said Ms. Straschnitzki. "All in all, it would have been traumatic for anyone. For Ryan and, ultimately, for me and Tom (at the other end of his distress call), it's devastating. How to tear the living heart out, "she added.
The young man was still well shot, all things considered.
"That said, I never want to receive such a call from one of our children again. Please, pay attention. Adapt your driving to the road conditions, "pleaded the mother.