Days after a patch of ice sent an SUV into the frigid Spray Lakes Reservoir, funeral arrangements have been made to honour three family members killed in the crash.
Meanwhile, loved ones are surrounding Jaimie Waugh — the lone survivor of the accident who is grieving the loss of her husband, her brother and her best friend.
"She’s a strong person and she’s trying to get through each day," said relative Sue Remmer. "It’s horrible, just horrible. But we are all supporting each other."
Husband and wife Darrin and Jennifer Waugh, both 39, and Jaimie’s common-law husband James (Roddy) Allan, 43, were killed on Thursday despite the efforts of several bystanders who dove into the water to free them from their submerged vehicle.
A funeral for the three will be held on Wednesday at the Centre Street Church main campus at 3900 2nd St. N.E. Services begin at 1 p.m.
Allan leaves behind his wife Jaimie, 33, and sons Oliver and Rylen. His mother and sister have just arrived from London, England, to support Jaimie Waugh and the children, said Remmer.
As word of the deaths spreads, condolences are coming in from across the country from people who planted trees with Darrin Waugh over the last 17 summers.
"We’ve lost a great one," Darrin Waugh’s boss Gord Sheepwash said of the man who was renowned for his love of hockey and hockey trivia.
Darrin and Jennifer Waugh are described as an "inseparable" couple with a passion for family and friends, the great outdoors and their two dogs.
Donations for the couple have been asked to go to Pawsitive Match Rescue, a dog rescue program Jennifer Waugh volunteered with.
Those wishing to remember Roddy Allan are asked to send donations to the Alberta Rugby Association to honour Allan’s enthusiasm for the sport.
As funeral arrangements were finalized on Saturday, family members headed to the crash scene south of Canmore in the hopes of finding Clancy, a golden retriever travelling with the couples at the time of the accident. Clancy is owned by another family member.
Unfortunately, the dog was inside the vehicle when it was submerged and didn’t survive, said Remmer.
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