Community mourns tragic loss

Jeff Green | Nov 11, 2015

About 1,000 people attended a wake at Loughborough Public School on Friday evening, November 6 for Travis Babcock, a 12-year-old grade 7 student at the school who died after a car accident on November 1.

The accident took place at the junction of Road 38 and McIvor Road, just north of Hwy. 401. Travis's parents, Jamie and Leanne, were in the car with him. Leanne suffered a hip injury and broken ribs and Jamie was uninjured, but Travis's injuries were more serious and he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. He was taken off life support the next morning, after his organs were donated.

The family was headed to the nearby Invista Centre to see a cousin play hockey that fateful Sunday evening.

Karl Hammer, a family friend who teaches at Sydenham High School, said that all the friends and neighbours of the Babcocks have come together, with help from the staff at Loughborough and the Limestone District School Board, to help the family and the students in Travis's grade 7 class.

“One of the most powerful things about the service that was held on Friday evening was the way Kaitlyn [Travis's sister] spoke about her brother,” said Karl Hammer, whose own son and three other boys from Travis's class also spoke at the ceremony.

Travis loved outdoor sports, including fishing, hockey and Eisstock, the Austrian game that has become popular in the Sydenham/Harrowsmith area.

In fact, on the day of the accident he did a little fishing, played Eisstock in the late morning and hockey in the afternoon. He even made the winning shot in the Eisstock game and scored during the hockey game.

Since his death all the sporting communities he was involved with have been reaching out to the Babcock family, delivering food to the door, and checking in with Jamie as he keeps the home fires burning since Leanne is still in the hospital.

“You learn that a group like our little Eisstock league is about more than sports when something like this happens. It really is a second family,” said Karl Hammer.

Scott Morency, principal of Loughborough Public School, wrote to parents last week, “Travis’s death has affected many people in our school community, the Sydenham community, the greater Kingston community, other schools in the Limestone District School Board, and the greater minor hockey community. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew Travis, and we offer our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. School and board staff will continue to watch over our students and ensure that those who might be affected by this tragedy will receive the support they need. Student support will be available as long as needed.”

A Gofundme campaign was started up late last week by Travis's grandparents to help the Babcock family financially.

“In a split second our life changed and our family is broken. Our little hockey player was taken from us. How the days ahead will be handled is yet to be seen but at this time, financial stress is something Jamie, Leanne and Kaitlyn do not need. As grandparents to this special boy, we would be so grateful for any help you can provide. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we try to come to the new reality of our lives. We love you Travis and you will always be only a memory away,” is the testimonial on the site.

The campaign had raised $31,000 by Tuesday of this week. It is at this url: https://www.gofundme.com/5k8dyxgs

The accident is the second fatal car accident affecting students in Sydenham this year. In late June an accident on Rutledge Road led to the death of one local youth and serious injuries for another.