A group of elderly individuals from a quiet town in Manitoba had planned a joyful outing to a casino, where they could indulge in the excitement of slot machines and savor the delicious bison pasta at the Oasis restaurant. Tragically, their escapade took a devastating turn when a semitrailer truck crashed into their bus on a rural highway, just minutes away from their destination. This horrific incident resulted in the loss of at least 15 lives and left 10 others injured.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in a state of shock along with the rest of Canada and the province of Manitoba, stated that this was the first mass casualty motor vehicle accident of its kind in the region. For many in Manitoba, the tragedy evoked painful memories of another fatal crash in nearby Saskatchewan back in April 2018. In that incident, 16 junior hockey team players and staff lost their lives when their bus collided with a semitrailer truck.
While the cause of the crash remains unclear, the police have committed to conducting a thorough investigation, a process that could potentially take several months. Amanda Novak, a prominent figure in the town of Dauphin where the deceased resided, expressed her deep sorrow and emphasized that the impact of this tragedy would be felt by the entire community for years to come.
Identifying the bodies of the victims is still underway, with no names released thus far. Due to the severe nature of their injuries, Dr. John Younes, the chief medical examiner for the province, announced that fingerprinting, dental records, or DNA may be necessary for identification purposes.
Ron Bretecher, whose parents were on the bus at the time of the crash, shared his family’s anxious wait for news. His mother was being treated in a Winnipeg hospital, while his father’s whereabouts were still unknown. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the incident as “incredibly tragic” and conveyed his condolences to the grieving families. Members of the House of Commons also held a moment of silence in honor of the victims.
The collision occurred around noon on Thursday near Carberry, a location approximately 100 miles west of Winnipeg. The weather conditions were clear at the time on the Trans-Canada highway, a major national route used for transportation across the country.
The bus, carrying 25 passengers, had been en route for two hours and was crossing the four-lane highway when it was struck by the semitrailer truck. Both drivers survived the crash and are receiving medical treatment for their injuries. The police are deliberating whether criminal charges should be filed against the drivers.
Superintendent Rob Lasson of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police stated during a news conference that they had spoken to both drivers and acquired a video from the truck, but were unable to provide further details at that time.
The passengers on the bus ranged in age from 58 to 88 years old. Among the 10 individuals injured, some were airlifted to hospitals in Winnipeg and Brandon, located in Manitoba.
It is worth noting that Dauphin, the hometown of many passengers, boasts a sizable Ukrainian community and is renowned in Manitoba for hosting the annual Dauphin Countryfest, the longest-running country music festival in Canada. The group of passengers had been en route to Sand Hills Casino, situated on the Swan Lake First Nation, a mere 10 minutes south of the crash site. This casino offers over 300 slot machines, along with blackjack and roulette tables, and hosts themed buffet nights, adding to the anticipation and excitement of the trip.
Reported by Vjosa Isai from Toronto, this heart-wrenching tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact it has on communities large and small.
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