OPENING THE DOORS: Parish priest in Ris church Jan-Erik Heffermehl opened the doors on Monday night. Photo: Synne Eggum Myrvang, VG
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Ris church opened its doors after the accident on Hareid where three sisters from Vestre Aker in Oslo were involved. Benedicte Myrset (18) and Victoria Myrset (12) lost their lives.
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– Today there is a special atmosphere here. It came as a shock to many. Suddenly it comes so very close, says parish priest in Ris church in Oslo, Jan-Erik Heffermehl to VG.
They were three sisters on vacation in the tour group as was hit by lightning on the mountain Melshornet in Hareid municipality on Sunday evening. Two lost their lives and the third has been admitted to Haukeland University Hospital. Sunday night, the condition was stable with moderate injuries.
Monday parish priest in Hareid, Lars Hartig-Tangedal, opened the doors to the church there, and Monday night Heffermehl does the same.
– In deep shock
Several young people meet outside the church on the bright July evening. They cry and hug each other. Some go in to light candles.
– It affects the entire local community. It characterizes Ris parish, Ris church, Holmenkollen chapel. But first and foremost now we are in deep shock over this incredibly sad message, says town leader in Vestre Aker and general manager in Ris parish, Yngvar A. Huseby.
– These are two girls and a third sister who have been and are very active in the local community, so it affects so many in every way, he continues.
—-IN SHOCK: District leader in Vestre Aker and general manager in Ris parish, Yngvar A. Huseby. Photo: Synne Eggum Myrvang, VG
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From the church sound the tones of the organist. On the outside, people talk softly together before entering.
Crisis team present
The parish priest says that it is possible to light a candle, talk to the priest or just talk together. There are also crisis teams from the district and health teams from the schools the girls attended.
– What we are trying to do is to heal a little for the local community. There were two active girls in the local community who were active in many different ways and had many ramifications, says the parish priest.
Friends wanted open church
He says that it is the young people themselves – friends of the sisters – who have asked if they could open the church.
– There are people who have been confirmants or who we know from the sports community. We have a fairly large network of contacts here that we know from the schools.
—-OPEN: Rice Church Monday. Photo: Synne Eggum Myrvang, VG
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Heffermehl says they want to provide a room where people can sit and feel a little of the grief and longing.
Small local environment
– We are all stunned, I can say that on behalf of the district Vestre Aker. We’re in shock. Then it is also nice to be able to meet. They just need to know we’re here. Today we can call Ris church “the local parish house”, says Huseby.
He adds that even though Oslo is a large city, there is a small local community in Vestre Aker with very many children and young people who know each other.
– The mood has been depressed. We got a call early today that there were two of us, and also she who is in hospital. It was absolutely awful, emphasizes the mayor and adds:
– If anyone wants to talk to professionals, we are here.
– Incredibly sad
Oslo City Councilor Raymond Johansen also expressed grief over the girls on Monday.
“The girls were only 18 and 12 years old. It is deeply tragic and unbelievably sad. When children die – with life ahead of them – despair knows no bounds. A family has lost children – friends, classmates and the local community have been hit hard. ” he writes on Facebook and sends his deepest sympathy to the girls’ family, friends and neighborhoods.
“The district to which the family belongs here in Oslo is now working to ensure that they receive all the support and help they may need.” writes Johansen.
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