Vigil held for 3 sisters buried, smothered by canola seed

About 200 people who live in farming communities around Withrow, Alta.,gathered for a vigil Wednesdaynight to remember three sisters killed in a farming accident.

Catie Bott, 13, and 11-year-old twins Daraand Jana Bott were on a grain truck at their parents' farm Tuesday eveningwhen they somehow became buried underthe seed and were smothered. Two girls died at the scene. Thethird died early Wednesday morning at the StolleryChildren'sHospital in Edmonton.

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People at the vigil embraced each other as they walked into the Withrow Gospel Mission.

Pastor Brian Allan, a close family friend, said members of the nearby Hutterite community joined regular members of the congregation to grieve for the girls. He said there were mixed emotions during the service.

"There was sorrow, you know, but there wasa peacefulness as people were praying," Allansaid.

"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 wellknown 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.