Broncos bus crash survivor focuses on graduation as he heads home from hospital

Released from hospital two months to the day after the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, Xavier Labelle has one immediate goal among many targets for the future: Graduate from high school.

“Although all of the Bronco families and loved ones are still trying to come to terms with the magnitude of this loss, we are supporting each other as best as we can,” Labelle said Wednesday in a statement, his first public comments since the April 6 crash.

“I am healing, and I am feeling better every day.”

The 18-year-old from Saskatoon detailed the injuries he suffered: A fractured skull and concussion, internal bleeding, approximately 20 broken bones (including 13 in his spine), plus nerve damage affecting his legs and left arm. He says he has “no recollection of the crash or for about two weeks after.”

The collision between the Broncos bus and a semi-trailer took place April 6 around 5 p.m. on Highway 35. Sixteen people — including 10 players — were killed and another 13 were injured.

In the initial stages of recovery, Labelle needed help to sit up, eat and brush his teeth — “all those things we take for granted,” Labelle said.

Leaving City Hospital on Wednesday, he is able to walk while looking forward to when he can resume running and skating.

Labelle said his teachers have provided tutoring to help him complete his final three high school classes. He is counting down the days until graduating from École Canadienne-francaise at the end of the month.

The tutors are among those who have helped him through the past two months, he said.

Labelle expressed gratitude to members of the Broncos and the team’s extended family, first responders, caregivers, hospital staff, fellow patients, visitors, family and loved ones.

Labelle acknowledged how much work is still to come for him personally, but described as an inspiration workout shirts the Broncos players wore as last season’s playoffs began.

The shirts had one important word across the front: Believe.

“We believed in each other. I believe people will never forget what happened to us,” he said. “I believe we will get through this together.”