The sister of one of the snowmobilers swept away by an avalanche in Gaspésie experienced “the worst hours of [sa] life” Tuesday evening. The more seconds passed, the less hope she had of seeing her brother again.
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“Between 7:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., we had no news,” says Martine Crête, Joël’s sister, 35 years old. Emotions were strong: we only knew that they had disappeared in an avalanche. The more time passed, the more we expected this call…”
The Crête family is very united. On the left, we see Joël, who died in an avalanche in Haute-Gaspésie. At the back, on the left, we find Martine, his sister who became the spokesperson for the family.
Photo provided by the Crête family
The first thoughts that crossed the mind of the woman from Coaticook upon learning of the death of her brother were towards his wife, but especially towards their three children aged seven to eleven.
“It hurts me the most for them. I at least had the chance to know Joël for 35 years. It’s so sad to think that your children won’t have this opportunity,” she whispers with a tremor in her voice.
Mme Crête points out that she was particularly close to her younger brother, since their children are almost the same age. She says this tragedy further strengthens the ties that unite her family.
“I want to tell him that his family loves him deeply. May the memories we have with him give us the strength to get through this ordeal,” continues with emotion the woman who became spokesperson for the Crête family.
The bereaved sister hopes that people will remember Joël Crête as a man who deeply loved his family and friends, “always ready to help everyone” and who loved life to the fullest.
“They knew what they were doing.”
Having participated in the research effort, snowmobile guide Jack Verecchia emphasized Wednesday that the four friends who caused an avalanche near Mont Médaille in Haute-Gaspésie “made mistakes.”
Even if they had not taken courses on avalanches, Martine Crête nevertheless assures that the thirty-year-olds “knew what they were doing”.
Facebook / Tania Mrtl
“They’ve been going to the same place for four years at this time of year. The first year, they took their trip with a guide. They still knew the area. […] Did they take a risk? Maybe, but who doesn’t have one in life? It’s a stupid accident and there’s no point in thinking about it again.”
Real enthusiasts
Joël Crête’s big sister, however, consoles herself by telling herself that her brother and his friends died doing “what they love most in the world”.
“They were real fans. They waited for this trip every year. At least, three of them left and my brother is not going to be alone up there,” she maintains.
Photo montage Le Journal using photos taken from Facebook
According to Mme Crête, Nicolas Vanasse and his brother have been friends since high school. She describes the 30-year-old man as a “real ball of energy who loved life” with whom she had many good times at the family chalet, among other places.
For his part, Bryan Forgues Morissette posthumously attracted the sympathies of many relatives on social networks. They pay tribute to the 33-year-old father’s unfailing sense of humor and his great determination.