Calgary bobsled accident victims ID'd as twins Jordan and Evan Caldwell
The twin 17-year-old brothers killed early Saturday after tobogganing down the bobsled track at Canada Olympic Park have been identified as Jordan and Evan Caldwell.
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"We were reminded today that life is but a vapour," the family said in a statement released by Calgary police late Saturday.
"Life is precious, life is fragile, and we must redeem the time we're given."
Six other teens were taken to hospital after the incident, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. MT.
"Our boys Jordan and Evan were bright lights to all who knew them. We are grieving their loss but confident in their new home of heaven. Our brief 17 years with them were a gift: filled with much love, laughter and fond memories," the statement says.
"They leave a huge void and will be sorely missed."
The boys were killed and six other teens were injured during an after-hours visit to the track. Police say the boys hopped on a toboggan and went for a ride on the high-speed run, but on the way down crashed into a gate separating the bobsled and luge
tracks.
A family member living in the Edmonton area said Jordan and Evan should have had great futures.
Straight-A students
"They were outstanding young men. They had straight-A averages and had scholarships to several universities, and they were just really fine boys. Everybody's very perplexed how this came to be," said the relative, who asked not to be identified and was reached before the names were officially released.
Emergency crews received a 911 call from the northwest WinSport facility at Calgary Olympic Park after a report of several injured people on a closed track.
WinSport Canada owns and operates Canada Olympic Park, which hosted events during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Several World Cup events are held at the site as well.
WinSport president and CEO Barry Heck told reporters late Saturday that as a father himself his heart goes out to the families.
He said the organization is co-operating with police and supplying CCTV footage to help determine how and why it happened.
'Robust security' in park
Heck said WinSport is also going to conduct its own review but doesn't think there's a problem with a lack of security on the track.
"We have robust security measures throughout the park and again safety is extremely important. We have a full time security staff that we employ and when the investigation is concluded we will better understand what happened," said Heck.
He said he doesn't recall any previous incidents like this one where someone broke in to use the track after hours.
"I've heard of incidents of people coming into the park. I do not know of any incidents of anyone being on the sliding track."
