Corner Brook figure skaters back on the ice after bus crash

Some members of a western Newfoundland skating club are already back on the ice, following an accident last week when the bus the skaters were travelling on flipped.

Fifty-five figure skaters with the Silver Blades club from Corner Brook were travelling to Clarenville Thursday for a competition when the DRL bus they were on went off the road.

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Bev Power, chair of Skate Canada Newfoundland and Labrador, said some of the injured skaters haven't laced up again just yet, but many have already resumed their practice schedules.

"Skaters are doing as well as can be expected and it's going to take some a little longer than others to return to the ice, and some of course haven't had their regular first session back on the ice as of yet, but they're making their way back, and that's a great thing," said Power.

The charter bus went off the road and flipped onto its side on the Trans-Canada Highway near Grand Falls-Windsor.

Most of the skaters received only minor injuries, and Power said she's grateful there were no life threatening injuries — as well as the support received.

"[I have] great pride in our skating community and how they reached out to one another at such a difficult time, and also very thankful for the support of the community of Grand Falls-Windsor, the first responders, the medical team, Salvation Army and the [Mount Peyton] hotel where the teams were housed," said Power.

Standing ovation

At the Clarenville synchronized skating contest, Power said the fellow skaters voted to award the Corner Brook Silver Blades the Butt Trophy, for good sportsmanship, cooperation and friendship.

Power added the arena also gave the group a standing ovation, calling the gesture a "remarkable show of sportsmanship and camaraderie."

"It was very touching to know that our entire synchro community were with their fellow competitors in Grand Falls-Windsor," she said.

The figure skating organization is currently trying to make arrangements to have the award presented to the Silver Blades synchro team in person.

She said with an upcoming provincial championships, and the Silver Blades' 50th anniversary celebration featuring Olympic medallists Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, there will be opportunity to present the team with its trophy.

Power added she's hopeful most, if not all, of the Silver Blades entrant for an upcoming competition in Mount Pearl will be able to compete.