Friends rally around families after crash
In the days following a crash that killed a 17-year-old and seriously injured a 16-year-old, the families of the two Calgary teens say they have received an outpouring of support from friends of the Ernest Manning high school students.
Ryan Doedel died in the singlevehicle crash in the area of Lower Springbank Road and Township Road 242 on Thursday night. His friend, Dante Bravi, 16, suffered a serious spinal injury and remains in hospital.
Doedel’s father, Peter, described his son as well-liked and highly respected. The Grade 11 student, whose talents ranged from producing music to playing football, was quick to make friends when he began high school.
The school and football community have offered “an unbelievable amount of support” following the tragedy, Peter said.
Since Friday, Peter, his wife and 14-year-old daughter have seen a steady flow of visits and correspondence from people paying tribute to the teen.
“I just wanted him to be there to give him a pat on the back for the good job he did, and taking the courage and the leadership and the challenges that come along with walking into adulthood, and grabbing it and showing his friends that he’s got this,” Peter told Postmedia on Sunday.
“I just feel wretched for all those kids who have to endure this shock when they shouldn’t have to with their close friend.”
Peter said that from an early age, Ryan began playing a variety of instruments. During his Grade 8 studies at the Calgary Waldorf School, Ryan took on a year-long project making electronic music. He pursued the interest and recently produced a song with a fellow Ernest Manning student.
Leadership qualities also came naturally to Ryan, according to his father, who described his son as “a very courageous kid” who wasn’t afraid to take on challenges, and was remembered for sticking up for others.
“He understood what ‘I got your back’ meant,” said Peter.
Bravi, who was a close friend of Ryan’s from Ernest Manning, was seriously injured in the collision, his father Mark said.
“He broke his back in the accident,” Mark said from the hospital Sunday. “We have to wait and see if he regains feeling in his legs.”
He expects that Dante will be in hospital for at least three months as he recovers.
“We’re realistic but hopeful,” Mark said. “We know we have a very long road ahead of us.”
He noted the family has been “completely overwhelmed” by the support following the incident.
“The support from these kids has really just touched our hearts,” he said.
The mother of a friend of both students has started GoFundMe campaigns for the families.
Sandra Bueckert said launching the fundraising campaigns in Ryan’s memory and for Dante’s recovery was “something small to do to help both families in a very horrific time.”
“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare,” she said.
The GoFundMe page for Ryan describes the teen as “kind, giving, and just an all around great kid.”
“In the blink of an eye, lives can change,” Bueckert wrote. “Please open your hearts to support the Bravi and Doedel families during this horrific time.”