Kelowna

A show of support is being sent from Rutland to Bathurst.

Students at Rutland Senior Secondary wore red Wednesday to pay their respects to the seven high school basketball players killed in a car crash last weekend.

Stephanie Young, who coaches the senior girls basketball team, says they wanted the students in New Brunswick to know they are in their thoughts.

“We are pretty consumed with this tragedy, especially when we consider that we too spend countless hours in the school van transporting other people’s children,” says Young.

Senior girl’s basketball coach, Jennifer Fricke, says the show of support was a student’s idea.

“A member of the girl’s basketball team thought it would be a good way to express their condolences. Both the boy’s team and the girl’s team got together for the photo,” says Fricke.

She says a copy of the photo, along with a note of condolence, will be sent to the school.

Seven students and a teacher were killed when the van they were travelling in collided with a truck Friday night as they returned from a game. The students were all members of the Bathurst High Phantoms basketball team.

A public funeral was held in Bathurst Wednesday with thousands filling a hockey arena to say goodbye.

Click here to see the full size image.