Classmates mourn teen killed in tragic crash

Friends of a Calgary teen killed in a collision near Springbank late Thursday say they were shocked to learn of their classmate’s death.

A family friend says the teen was Ryan Doedel, a Grade 11 Ernest Manning High School student.

Leander Jacob, also a Grade 11 student at the school, said he knew Doedel through mutual friends and learned of the crash through posts on social media.

“It kind of really shocked me … it’s just really tragic,” Jacob said.

“He was pretty much an allaround (good guy), everyone kind of knew him.”

Jacob and his friend Hayden St Louis said another student was severely injured in the incident. The school has made counselling services available for staff and students and a memorial has been set up in the school’s cafeteria in Doedel’s memory.

“Honestly, the school is really open about it,” he said.

“You can just talk to any teachers about it, kind of sort out your differences or get help with that,” Jacob said.

EMS spokesperson Stuart Brideaux said paramedics were called to the area of Lower Springbank Road and Township Road 242 just after 10:30 p.m. on Thursday for reports of a single-vehicle incident.

ENGULFED IN FLAMES

Brideaux said when crews arrived, the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

One of the teens was found outside the vehicle and alerted paramedics there was still one person inside the burning vehicle, Brideaux said.

Doedel was pronounced dead on the scene after fire crews doused the flames and the other patient was taken to the Foothills Medical Centre in serious but stable condition.

A Calgary police spokesperson confirmed members of the service’s victim assistance support team are at the school offering aid to those affected by the crash.

The Calgary Board of Education offered their condolences to the friends and families of the teens involved in the crash.

Doedel played on the school’s football team and a scheduled football game between the Ernest Manning Griffins and the St. Francis Browns on Friday was cancelled.