A tragic head-on collision on the Coquihalla Highway has taken the life of a beloved father from Metro Vancouver. Ravil Gabbassov, along with his son Timur, was returning home from a hockey tournament in Kelowna when the devastating accident occurred. The New Westminster Minor Hockey Association shared this heartbreaking news on their Facebook page.

The fateful journey took place amidst severe weather conditions, with Environment Canada issuing warnings of blizzard-like circumstances and heavy snowfall along the highway. These hazardous conditions posed a significant challenge for drivers on the day Ravil and Timur embarked on their trip. Tragically, approximately 41 kilometres south of Merritt, Ravil’s Ford-F-150 crossed the centre line, resulting in a fatal collision with a semi-truck and trailer, as confirmed by authorities.

Despite the immediate response from emergency services, Ravil succumbed to his injuries at the scene. In contrast, Timur was fortunate to escape with minor injuries, as reported by the hockey association. The New Westminster U15A1 team, in which Timur participated, emerged victorious at the Kelowna tournament, with Timur’s crucial goal ensuring a tie in the final game.

Moved by the tragic loss, a GoFundMe page has been created to provide support to the grieving Gabbassov family. The description of the fundraiser expresses heartfelt condolences and emphasizes the unity of the hockey community during such challenging times.

The Facebook post further reveals that, despite the immense grief, the team made the decision to continue playing. The determination stems from their belief that Ravil, who was deeply passionate about the sport, would have never missed a game. In a show of solidarity, the New Westminster Royals family has been urged to attend and support the Gabbassovs in their upcoming match against Semiahmoo in South Surrey. The hockey association requests attendees to wear their New Westminster jerseys, symbolizing love, strength, and unity during this difficult period.

The fatal crash is currently under investigation, and the Merritt RCMP detachment has appealed to witnesses or individuals with dash camera footage of the collision to contact them at 250-378-4262.