The community of Steinbach is mourning the loss of a well-known teen who died in a snowmobile crash Saturday night. Friends said 16-year-old Jonah Crookes was riding with his dad, a volunteer firefighter, and three others when his snowmobile crashed into trees southeast of Steinbach on a trail called Fireguard 18.
“Greatest kid ever. That kid meant everything,” said friend Torsten Froese.
Crookes’ friends said he loved snowmobiling.
RCMP said Crookes was wearing a helmet when he crashed. Speed and visibility were likely factors in the crash, police said.
"The call came in after 7:00 p.m. so we know it's dark at that time," said Sgt. Rob Lockhart.
Friends say the happy-go-lucky teen was always willing to help others out in the construction program at school.
"He's always helping us out on a project,” said friend Javid Giesbrecht.
The school division has brought in six additional grief councillors to work at the school to help students cope.
“If they need to get away, either by themselves, or with some friends, and spend some time alone and get the kind of support they need just to gather themselves, that's available,” said Hanover School Division superintendent Randy Dueck.
While students grieve, La Broquerie's fire chief wonders if more could have been done to save Jonah's life. He said the STARS Air Ambulance, grounded by the province during an investigation, may have helped in this case.
"It was a mile in the bush. You can't drive the ambulance there,” said Alain Nadeau. “It would have been the perfect classic STARS call, and yet we've grounded that system."
While that question persists, students and the community in Steinbach concentrate on dealing with a huge loss.
"We're all here for each other when something like this happens. It's hard," said Froese.
The school division said a memorial has been set up in the library, including a book of condolences for students to sign. An online memorial is also available on the Steinbach Regional Secondary School's website.
- With a report by Jeff Keele
