Ravil Gabbassov dies in fatal Coquihalla Highway crash
Fatal Coquihalla Highway crash death of Ravil Gabbassov – Obituary
A head-on collision on the Coquihalla Highway early Monday morning claimed the life of Metro Vancouver father, Ravil Gabbassov.
Ravil Gabbassov and his son Timur were returning from a hockey tournament in Kelowna when their journey turned tragic, according to a Facebook post from the New Westminster Minor Hockey Association.
On the day of their travel, Environment Canada had issued warnings of blizzard-like conditions and heavy snowfall, making the highway dangerous. Approximately 41 kilometers south of Merritt, the Ford-F-150 driven by Ravil veered across the center line and collided with a semi-truck and trailer, as reported by authorities.
Ravil was pronounced dead at the scene, while his son Timur was airlifted to a hospital with minor injuries, the hockey association noted.
A GoFundMe campaign created to support the grieving family revealed that the New Westminster U15A1 team had won gold at the Kelowna tournament, with Timur scoring the tying goal in the final game.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the Gabbassov family. In this challenging time, our hockey community stands as one,” reads the fundraiser’s description.
On Tuesday night, the team decided to continue playing, stating, “Ravil wouldn’t have missed a game,” as shared in the Facebook post. The hockey association urged the “New Westminster Royals family” to show support for the Gabbassovs in their match against Semiahmoo in South Surrey.
“Please wear your New Westminster jerseys to show love, strength, and unity,” concluded the NWMHA statement.
The cause of the fatal crash remains under investigation. Witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident are encouraged to contact the Merritt RCMP detachment at 250-378-4262.
Fatal Coquihalla Highway crash death of Ravil Gabbassov – Obituary A head-on collision on the Coquihalla Highway early Monday morning claimed the life of Metro Vancouver father, Ravil Gabbassov. Ravil Gabbassov and his son Timur were returning from a hockey tournament in Kelowna when their journey turned tragic, according to a Facebook post from the…
Fatal Coquihalla Highway crash death of Ravil Gabbassov – Obituary A head-on collision on the Coquihalla Highway early Monday morning claimed the life of Metro Vancouver father, Ravil Gabbassov. Ravil Gabbassov and his son Timur were returning from a hockey tournament in Kelowna when their journey turned tragic, according to a Facebook post from the…