Marlborough Express

Bus crash reminds doctor of airstrike

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CANADA: A semi-trailer slammed into a bus carrying a youth hockey team in western Canada, killing 15 people and injuring 14 in a catastroph­ic collision that a doctor compared to an airstrike and left the vehicles obliterate­d in the snow. The crash sent shockwaves through the team’s small hometown and a country united by the national sport.

Canadians were moved to tears yesterday as they learned of the identities of the deceased on the bus that was driving the Humboldt Broncos hockey team to a crucial playoff game on Saturday against the Nipawin Hawks.

‘‘An entire country is in shock and mourning,’’ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. ‘‘This is every parent’s worst nightmare. No-one should ever have to see their child leave to play the sport they love and never come back.’’

The bus had 29 passengers, including the driver, when it crashed on Highway 35, police said. Among the dead are Broncos head coach Darcy Haugan, team captain Logan Schatz and radio announcer Tyler Bieber. Authoritie­s earlier said three were in critical condition but later provided an update to say that 15 had now died.

Canadian police said the truck driver was initially detained but had since been released and provided with mental health assistance. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commission­er Curtis Zablocki said it was too early to state a cause for the crash.

In a tweet, US President Donald Trump said he called Trudeau to offer his condolence­s to the families of victims.

Darren Opp, president of the Nipawin Hawks, said a semi T-boned the players’ bus – an account police confirmed. ‘‘It’s a horrible accident, my God.’’

Hassan Masri, an emergency room doctor at Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital who has done work in war-torn Syria, said the crash reminded him of an airstrike.

Photograph­s of the wreckage showed the twisted trailer with most of its wheels in the air and the bus on its side and its back portion destroyed. The force of the crash sent both vehicles into the ditch at the northwest corner of the intersecti­on. – AP

Da Silva in custody

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 72, was taken into police custody yesterday, capping an intense three days that underscore­d raw emotions over the incarcerat­ion of a once wildly popular leader who has been engulfed by corruption allegation­s. Just hours earlier, da Silva told thousands of supporters that he would turn himself in to police, but also maintained his innocence and argued his corruption conviction was simply a way for enemies to make sure he doesn’t run – and possibly win – re-election in October. When he first tried to leave the metal workers union headquarte­rs where he was holed up to turn himself in, supporters blocked a gate where a car carrying da Silva was trying to exit. The Supreme Federal Tribunal, the country’s top court, ruled against his petition on Friday to remain free while he appealed his conviction.

Ship crashes into mansion

A cargo ship has crashed into a historic mansion on Istanbul’s Bosporus strait, severely damaging the building. Turkey’s official Anadolu news agency said the Maltesefla­gged cargo ship had a malfunctio­n yesterday that disabled its rudder, causing it to lose control in the busy waterway. Videos showed the large ship sailing straight toward the Asian shores of Istanbul, hitting the red seaside mansion of Hekimbasi Salih Efendi. No-one was injured. Anadolu said the 225-metre (738-foot) ship was carrying barley from Russia to Saudi Arabia. The mansion once belonged to a doctor who served in the Ottoman palace and dates back to the 18th century.

Crowe’s ‘divorce auction’

Oscar-winner Russell Crowe has raked in more than $3.7 million after selling artwork, jewellery and movie props at his ‘‘divorce auction’’ in Sydney. The actor, whose sell-off coincided with his 54th birthday, made a surprise appearance at the event on Saturday night to see some of his fondest possession­s go under the hammer. ‘‘Not a bad hourly rate for a 5 hour shift,’’ Crowe tweeted, adding there was a ‘‘bunch of stuff’’ he didn’t really want to sell coming home. More than 85 per cent of the 226 items on offer were sold.

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