The Fort Murray Fires have caused many families to attempt to evacuate the area for safety purposes. For one such family, the attempt to escape the fire brought more tragedy than they expected. 15 year old Emily Ryan was killed recently along with her step mother’s nephew who was driving the vehicle. The pair were traveling on Highway 881 in an effort to put distance between themselves and the fire that was ravaging their community. After traveling for quite some time, the sports utility vehicle that the pair was traveling in collided with a tractor trailer, killing them instantly. Emily leaves to mourn her father, step mother, and her sisters who were a triplet set and now lack a member of a club formed before birth.
Emily Ryan and her relative left their home in the early morning hours headed away from danger. Little did they know that they would wind up in a collision that would claim their young lives. Upon hearing the news that his daughter was involved in a terrible car accident, Emily Ryan’s father rushed to the scene. He is a retired fire fighter and hoped that his skills could be of use at the scene of the accident. His loved ones had already suffered fatal injuries, however, and there was nothing left to be done upon his arrival.
Family described Emily as a thoughtful and wise 15 year old who thoroughly enjoyed reading novels and spending time with family. In the wake of this tragedy, the family views the current fires that are plaguing Fort Murray as a small problem in comparison with their great loss. They were recently quoted as saying that anything that they would have lost in a fire was just material and could be replaced. Emily, however, could never be replace and they will always mourn her loss.
