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Not in vain

Tragic. There is no other word to describe the early-morning March 7 bus/gravel truck crash that claimed the life of 15-year-old Thorhild Central School student Maisie Watkinson.

Tragic.

There is no other word to describe the early-morning March 7 bus/gravel truck crash that claimed the life of 15-year-old Thorhild Central School student Maisie Watkinson.

We offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends and the entire community of Thorhild.

What happened on that stretch of Opal Road last Wednesday morning is the nightmare of every parent, particularly those who live in rural areas.

Every morning they send their children to school aboard buses and assume they’ll be safe … and 99.9 per cent of the time they are.

But on March 7 things went catastrophically wrong.

Speculating on the cause of the collision, aside from stating the facts as we know them, is a dangerous game.

We know that RCMP reported heavy fog in the area that morning. We know Opal Road, where the collision occurred, was the subject of a Thorhild County report dated Feb. 27 that highlighted speeding concerns on the 23-kilometre stretch.

“With having six bus stops along this road and 38 per cent of vehicles travelling 15 km/h or more over the posted legal speed limit, this is not conducive to a safe pedestrian/vehicle environment,” Thorhild County chief administrative officer Wayne Franklin wrote.

Ultimately, the RCMP will determine the cause of the crash and whether any charges will be laid.

But that said, the fact that a teen is dead due to no fault of her own — remember, she was going to school on a bus — cannot be forgotten.

So, to all drivers, if it’s foggy, for God’s sake slow down. If the posted speed limit is 100 km/h, don’t go 110, or 120 km/h. Try 80 km/h, or pick a speed that’s safe for the conditions, especially on a known bus route.

And when you’re near a school bus be vigilant. When the bus comes to a complete stop and their lights are flashing, don’t blow by them because you’re in a rush.

We sincerely doubt whatever you’re late for is worth the life of a child.

Staying safe and making the right decisions on the road starts with all of us. Be a part of the solution by taking your foot off the gas pedal.

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