The Earl Marriott Mariners may have missed their senior varsity game Friday night (Oct. 13) in Abbotsford, but they were lucky to escape without serious injury after their bus was involved in a collision.

The football squad was en route to their game vs. the Abbotsford Panthers at Abbotsford Senior Secondary when the collision 鈥� with a semi truck 鈥� happened near 16th Avenue and 236th Street in 91原创.

鈥淓verybody is fine. They just had a minor fender bender,鈥� Earl Marriott Secondary athletic director Russ Heggie confirmed on Sunday (Oct. 15).

While a few people went to hospital, it was as more of a precaution, as any reported injuries from a likely sudden stop were minor, he noted.

鈥淟uckily, there were no serious injuries, really.鈥�

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Head coach J.C. Abbott said a handful of people, including two players and the team manager, went to hospital as a precaution.

鈥淲e鈥檙e very lucky and very thankful that everyone is OK,鈥� he said Sunday, noting that most everyone else took a bus back to the school, as their game was cancelled.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e a remarkably hardened bunch. They were already making jokes about it on the way back to the school鈥� they were in good spirits,鈥� Abbott said.

鈥淲e鈥檒l be back in action next week.鈥�

The Mariners team will have to reschedule their game, but with the school鈥檚 50th anniversary coming up in April 2024, the school is focusing on celebrating all of its students and athletes, Heggie said, with football and volleyball already well underway, basketball practice and wrestling starting up, an upcoming 鈥� and rare 鈥� boy鈥檚 home soccer game and a girls volleyball tournament with Semiahmoo Secondary, among other events.

鈥淲e鈥檙e resurrecting the curling team with the Peace Arch Curling Club,鈥� he noted, and added the school has also started a dance and cheer team that has been well-received, meant to celebrate all the school鈥檚 sports and activities.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just trying to be as inclusive as possible, so everyone has a chance to contribute.鈥�