Vigil held for 3 sisters buried, smothered by canola seed
Neighbours chip in to help grieving family finish their harvest in wake of Alberta farm accident
About 200 people who live in farming communities around Withrow, Alta., gathered for a vigil Wednesday night to remember three sisters killed in a farming accident.
Catie Bott, 13, and 11-year-old twins Dara and Jana Bott were on a grain truck at their parents' farm Tuesday evening when they somehow became buried under the seed and were smothered. Two girls died at the scene. The third died early Wednesday morning at the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton.
People at the vigil embraced each other as they walked into the Withrow Gospel Mission.
"There was sorrow, you know, but there was a peacefulness as people were praying," Allan said.
"Of course we had different songs that were played on our audio system and it was really quite a beautiful night."
The girls' parents, Roger and Bonita Bott, are well known in the area and active in the church. They did not attend Wednesday's service.
Allan married the Botts, and knew Catie, Dara and Jana well. The girls were involved in youth groups at the church.
Allan said the couple's faith is helping them through the shock of their daughters' deaths.
"They have a very real, very genuine faith in Christ," he said.
"At this point in time, that's what you look to. Because what do you do? How do you deal with the sudden death of your children? I know that is an anchor in their lives and I admire them for that."
The community has chipped in to help the family. Farmers brought combines to the Botts' land to finish harvesting their crops.
