On a winter Wednesday around 5 p.m., the tranquility of Township Road 292 and Range Road 14, situated between Crossfield and Carstairs, was shattered by the echoes of a single-vehicle crash. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, about 50 kilometers north of Calgary, only to be met with a devastating sight—two young lives, a 14-year-old girl, and a 16-year-old boy, lost in the aftermath of a holiday-season rollover.
The victims were identified as Reid Fisher, also known as Reid Holuk, and his close friend Lila Morrison. The duo had been returning from a trip to the CrossIron Mills mall at Balzac in a Dodge pickup truck when tragedy struck. The shockwaves reverberated through the tight-knit community of Didsbury, leaving friends and family grappling with an overwhelming sense of grief.
Reid Fisher’s mother, Rachelle Fisher, expressed her unimaginable sorrow on Facebook, quoting a biblical passage as she mourned the loss of her son. “It is with unimaginable sorrow that I share this sad news; yesterday afternoon the Lord called my son Reid home. After a great day spent with his ‘love you more,’ they were suddenly taken from us in a tragic accident,” she wrote, capturing the depth of a mother’s anguish.
A family friend, choosing to remain anonymous, reflected the sentiments of many in the community. “This is beyond comprehension. Devastating. (Reid) was the apple of (his mother’s) eye,” they said, underscoring the profound impact Reid Fisher had on those around him.
Known for his passion for hockey and evident from his social media presence, Fisher was not just an athlete but also someone who relished outdoor activities, including fishing. A Gofundme page was initiated to aid in covering funeral expenses, serving as a testament to the shock and grief enveloping the community. “Reid was a friend, a son, and a brother and will be greatly missed. As he was taken way too soon but left a huge impact on many lives,” the page expressed, urging people to hold their loved ones close.
The circumstances surrounding the tragic accident add another layer of sorrow. The RCMP investigation revealed that the roads around the intersection were generally flat, and there were no indications of drugs or alcohol playing a role in the crash. However, a poignant detail emerged—Reid Fisher and Lila Morrison were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
Cpl. Troy Savinkoff of the RCMP emphasized the critical role seatbelts play in ensuring safety, particularly in single-vehicle accidents. “In single-vehicle accidents, seatbelts will save your life,” he stated somberly. The crash, occurring on a gravel road, unfolded as the vehicle went sideways, initiated an over-correction, and eventually led to a fatal rollover. The question of whether speed was a contributing factor remains unanswered, adding an element of uncertainty to an already tragic narrative.
As the community of Didsbury grapples with the profound loss of two promising young lives, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of safety measures on the road. The grief-stricken families and friends left behind are united in their shared pain, rallying around memories of Reid Fisher and Lila Morrison, as they navigate the challenging journey of healing from an unimaginable tragedy that has left an indelible mark on their lives.
