FREDERICTON - Two New Brunswick mothers who lost their sons in a van crash last January that killed eight people say the provincial government is dragging its feet when it comes to moving forward with a coroner's inquest into the tragedy.
Isabelle Hains and Ana Acevedo have called a news conference for Thursday in Fredericton, where they say they will demand an inquest be launched immediately.
Seven members of the Bathurst High School basketball team, along with the wife of the team's coach, were killed when the 15-passenger van they were riding in collided with a tractor-trailer Jan. 12.
Acting chief coroner Greg Forestell has said he will consider the wishes of the victims' families when deciding whether to launch an inquest.
A coroner's inquest wouldn't lay blame, but it would clarify the circumstances that led to the accident to determine how a similar tragedy could be prevented in the future.
In a news release Wednesday, Hains and Acevedo say separate investigations by the RCMP and Transport Canada have raised more questions than they answer.
"On Dec. 12 it will be 11 months since our sons were killed," the statement reads.
"We want a coroner's inquest to be called immediately!"
The two mothers have gathered hundreds of signatures on a petition including those of eight other parents whose children were involved in the accident.
Hains and Acevedo are also calling for legislation that would prevent students from travelling during bad weather for a school-related event outside their community, and a law regarding who is eligible to drive students to out-of-town events.
Hains and Acevedo will also announce the launch of a new website with information on the accident.
