Tragic news emerged from the Chaika hockey program after an on road accident claimed the lives of several team members. The report from RIA News, citing the Vologda Region Hockey Federation, confirms the loss and notes that the investigation is ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the full findings, but early statements point to potential road conditions as a factor in the incident. The federation described the highway as a four-lane roadway and indicated that the driver may have entered the opposite lane without intent to do so, raising questions about lane discipline and control during the drive.
According to details shared by the telegram channel SHOT, the crash happened in the afternoon of December 30 on the A-114 highway in the Cherepovets region. A Ford S-Max minivan reportedly lost control, veered into the oncoming lane, and collided head-on with a Scania truck. In the impact, several passengers in the minivan were unable to survive, primarily due to not being restrained by seat belts. The tragedy affected young athletes who had been traveling back from a competition when the accident occurred, including a 13-year-old and a 12-year-old who had been students with the Chaika team in Sheksna. The driver of the minivan, a father of one of the deceased boys, also died in the crash.
Following the incident, the regional investigative committee has opened a criminal case, and the prosecutor’s office has ordered a formal investigation into the fatal crash. Officials say every possible condition that could contribute to a win or loss on the day of the event is being examined, as part of a broader effort to understand what happened and to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The incident has raised concerns about road safety for youth sports teams traveling to and from events, and officials are calling for careful review of travel routes and vehicle safety practices in the region. [Source: SHOT Telegram Channel]
Earlier reports noted a separate remembrance for a former USSR football champion who passed away in 1973, underscoring the long and shared history of sports and loss in the region. This weekend of reflection highlights the fragile line between competitive passion and safety on public roads, and it underscores the need for continued vigilance, improved vehicle safety measures, and strict adherence to seat belt usage for all passengers, especially minors, on every journey to and from competitions.