A candlelight vigil in memory of three children killed in a car crash on Highway 17 near Lively on New Year's Day takes place in downtown Sudbury on Thursday evening.
There's been an outpouring of sadness from Sudburians since the crash that killed the Osagie children — Britney, 6, and her brothers Flourish, 10, and Destiny, 11, all three of them students at Chelmsford Public School.
Organizers say the candlelight vigil is a way for the Greater Sudbury community to show support for the Osagie family — recent newcomers to the city originally from Nigeria — after the tragedy.
Not only did the crash result in the deaths of the Osagie children, it also sent another 10-year-old boy to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was airlifted to Toronto for treatment.
The Osagie children's mother, Uche Osagie, who was driving the car, was uninjured in the crash, while another woman who was a passenger in the car — the mother of the surviving 10-year-old boy — suffered minor injuries.
Those interested in taking part in the vigil are asked to gather in front of the Sudbury Arena starting at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 16. Parking is available in the lot across the street near the train station.
The vigil itself starts at 6 p.m., and there will be a procession to Tom Davies Square, where there will be prayers and songs in the building's foyer. Organizers will have some electric candles on hand for participants.
Adejare Oduwole, president of the Greater Sudbury Nigerian Community group, said the tragedy has hit his community hard.
“Right here, back home, people are really, really sad,” he said, emphasizing that Uche Osagie lost all three of her children in the crash. “It's terrible.
“Where ever we go, people are talking about it, expressing their grief. They can't imagine it.”
The funeral for the three Osagie kids takes place this Saturday at 11 a.m. at Glad Tidings Church.
The president of the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association said her group has been working with the family and the Nigerian community in planning the vigil and funeral.
That includes connecting the family with Gerry Lougheed Jr., who helped make the funeral arrangements.
“We did what we could, and things are in place now,” said Bela Ravi. “She's expecting some family to come from Nigeria. We hope that they make it. You know what, there's nothing like family.”
Ravi said the entire Greater Sudbury community has been grieving the loss of these children. She said most of her friends are fellow mothers and the tragedy of the crash is heartbreaking.
“Everybody is hurting with them,” she said. “It's not just the Nigerian community, and we want them to know that.”
She encourages everyone to attend the candlelight vigil Thursday evening.
“Please come out and let them know what a warm city we are,” Ravi said. “We put our arms around people who need help, and we want them to know we're here in their time of need.”
There has been no word from the OPP on the cause of the crash. Investigations of this complexity can take time to complete, said OPP Const. Michelle Coulombe in a telephone interview Jan 7.
