A bus transporting seniors to a casino was involved in a deadly collision with a semi-trailer truck, and video footage indicates that the bus did not have the right of way, according to police. Royal Canadian Mounted Police Supt. Rob Lasson confirmed that witness statements from passing motorists supported the video evidence captured by the semi truck’s dash cam. The bus inexplicably entered the roadway where the truck had the right of way. The driver of the bus, who is currently hospitalized, has not been interviewed by officers yet, while the truck driver has been released from the hospital. Police are conducting an ongoing investigation and are also exploring whether the truck had any mechanical issues.
At this time, blame has not been assigned by the police, who continue to investigate the incident. The identities of the 15 individuals who perished in the crash have not been confirmed; however, it is presumed that those who were not injured have also tragically lost their lives. The age range of the deceased and injured individuals is between 58 and 88 years old, with 19 women and six men among the victims.
The group of 25 seniors was on a day-trip from rural Dauphin, Manitoba when the accident occurred on the Trans-Canada Highway. Out of the 10 surviving seniors, six are in critical condition, and the remaining four are also hospitalized, suffering from head injuries and broken bones. Dr. Shawn Young, chief operating officer of Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, stated that due to the elderly nature of the patients, their road to recovery will be lengthy and could be complicated.
Chief medical examiner John Younes explained that identifying the deceased individuals is posing difficulties due to significant facial trauma. Authorities are utilizing scientific methods such as fingerprints, dental records, artificial hip serial numbers, and DNA if necessary. Post-mortem examinations are expected to be completed by Monday, with identifications to follow by the middle of next week.
In Dauphin, where most of the bus passengers reside, flags are being flown at half-staff to mourn the tragic loss. Sandra Kaleta, who is involved with the Dauphin Active Living Centre, knew some of the bus passengers personally and expressed concern for their well-being. She recalled the excitement of the group regarding the rare outing to the casino, which had not been possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kaleta emphasized that recovery will be a long-term process for the affected individuals and their families.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the flag at Ottawa’s Peace Tower on Parliament Hill will also be lowered in remembrance of the victims. The collision occurred at noon on Thursday, with road conditions reported as clear at the time. Responders encountered a harrowing scene with bodies strewn across the road. The semi-truck had veered into a ditch, while the bus caught fire and was completely consumed by the flames.
The city of Dauphin, with its population of approximately 8,600, is grappling with the shock of knowing someone on the ill-fated bus. The incident evokes painful memories of a 2018 crash in Saskatchewan that claimed the lives of 16 members of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team.
In a separate incident, police in British Columbia reported a non-fatal charter bus accident involving 30 individuals. The bus, carrying pipeline workers, veered off a forest service road north of Prince George. Fortunately, no critical injuries have been reported, and 17 patients have been transported to the hospital for treatment.
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