Editor’s note: A previous version of this story stated a man had died in the crash. It has since been clarified the victim was a teen. It was also reported the second student was also on the Ernest Manning High School football team, however it has since been clarified he was not a member of the football team.
A high school community is grieving after one of its students was killed and another seriously injured after a single-vehicle crash west of Calgary on Thursday night.
Global News has confirmed Ryan Doedel, a Grade 11 student and football player at Ernest Manning High School, died Thursday night in a crash just off Springbank Road on Township Road 242.
Another Ernest Manning student was also in the vehicle and was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition.
Emergency crews were called to the crash at about 10:30 p.m., EMS said. When EMS arrived, the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
In a letter to parents, Ernest Manning High School principal Myra Hood said the tragedy “has deeply impacted our community and reminds us of the importance and value of heartfelt connections to one another.
“Our thoughts and best wishes have also been extended to both families connected to this accident.”
She said other students were informed of the crash at 9:30 a.m., after the school consulted with the Calgary Board of Education Incident Response Team. Students were also given guidance and an opportunity to openly talk about their feelings and reactions both with school supports and other students.
“As a community that not only learns but grieves together, we have organized a tribute to honour the memory of the student who tragically passed away.”
WATCH: A Calgary teen is dead and another in critical condition following a horrific crash west of Calgary. Adam MacVicar reports.
Parents were encouraged to connect with their children.
“It is extremely important that students have a significant adult who can openly discuss their grief and support them in their loss,” Hood said.
The Calgary Board of Education said members of the incident response team were at the school to support both students and staff.
“At this sad time, our hearts and thoughts are with both families connected to this accident,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
On Saturday, Calgary Wildcats Football posted a message on its Facebook page, offering its “deepest sympathies, love and prayers to the family and friends of Ryan Doedel. He will be missed dearly.”
St. Francis High School tweeted Friday afternoon that the football game scheduled between St. Francis and Ernest Manning Friday night was cancelled.
St. Francis coach Tyler Park said the team was told of the crash Friday morning and the Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association decided to cancel the game out of respect for the Ernest Manning community.
“The CSHSAA has made the decision to cancel the game out of respect for the young man who lost his life in this tragic accident,” spokesperson Ralene Goldade said.
“His family, the staff and students (particularly his teammates) are grieving and we want to do whatever we can to support them at this time.”
RCMP are investigating, but at this point, there’s no word on what led to the crash.
–With files from Global News’ Nathan Taylor, Adam MacVicar and Spencer Gallichan-Lowe
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