RCMP said it's believed the "extremely ice road conditions" caused the rollover crash, which sent 52 people to four area hospitals on Christmas Eve.
Author of the article:
The Canadian Press
Ashley Joannou
Published Dec 26, 2022 • Last updated Dec 26, 2022 • 3 minute read
![B.C. bus crash: Four dead, dozens sent to hospital after highway collision (2) B.C. bus crash: Four dead, dozens sent to hospital after highway collision (2)](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/vancouversun/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/png1225nebus-02.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=PR2qVj9sKgxdVo1Ik86bcA)
Four people died and dozens of others were injured when the bus they were travelling on rolled over on an icy highway in the British Columbia Interior on Christmas Eve, provincial RCMP said Sunday.
The Mounties said they received multiple calls on Saturday shortly after 6 p.m. regarding the crash on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector east of Merritt near the Loon Lake exit.
Advertisem*nt 2
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
View more offers
Article content
Article content
The force confirmed the multiple fatalities on Sunday afternoon, but provided no details about the victims’ ages or identities.
Interior Health, the regional health authority, said 52 patients were transported to four hospitals where 36 were treated for injuries that ranged from serious to minor.
It said eight people were still in hospitals in Penticton, Kelowna and Kamloops as of early Sunday morning, including two in serious condition and two with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Although the number of patients remaining in hospital is low, this is a life-altering incident for all involved, from the initial physical injuries to the emotional and spiritual impacts of an incident such as this,” Interior Health said in a statement.
Shocked and saddened by the news of a serious bus accident between Merritt and Kelowna on the Okanagan Connector. Our thoughts are with those impacted, their loved ones, and the first responders and healthcare workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) December 25, 2022
Sunrise
Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Advertisem*nt 3
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
In a statement later Sunday, police said the exact number of passengers has yet to be confirmed and officers were in the process of locating and speaking to those who were on the bus, including the driver.
“Due to the exigent circ*mstances and injuries many were transported to local hospitals prior to police having the chance to identify them at scene,” the statement said.
Road conditions at the time of the crash were “very poor with ice and snow on the road surface along with rain and hail falling,” said Const. James Ward in an update Sunday afternoon.
Ward said a central phone line,250-545-2211, has been set up for friends and families looking for information about passengers’ whereabouts. Investigators are also asking witnesses or those with dash-cam footage of the bus before the crash to call their local RCMP detachment.
The bus belonged to the Alberta-based company Ebus. Director John Stepovy said the vehicle was travelling from Kelowna to Vancouver at the time of the crash.
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that was onboard, the coach and their family and loved ones,” he said.
Advertisem*nt 4
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“(We’re) Certainly thankful for the first responders, RCMP, the health workers for their support and work on this and I can say that we’re continuing to cooperate with the RCMP.”
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the accident on Hwy 97C last night, especially the loved ones of the four people who tragically died. @BCEHS transported 52 patients to 4 @InteriorHealth hospitals with minor to life threatening injuries. 8 patients remain in care this AM
— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) December 25, 2022
Advertisem*nt 5
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Ebus, a sister company of the Red Arrow bus company, offers services through the Alberta cities of Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and Fort McMurray, as well as from Vancouverinto the interior of British Columbia.
Interior Health implemented a Code Orange response— signalling a disaster or mass-casualty event — in the hours following the crash. Additional critical care staff in areas including emergency departments, medical imaging and surgery were brought in.
DriveBC, the communications arm of the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, said the stretch of road was cleared and reopened shortly before 8:30 a.m. local time Sunday.
The ministry released a traffic advisory after the highway reopened warning of poor driving conditions on highways in the southern Interior due to snow and freezing rain.
The ministry urged drivers to avoid non-essential travel, use caution and be prepared for highway closures on short notice if they must be out on the roads.
B.C. Premier David Eby, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming released a joint statement Saturday evening expressing their shock and sadness over the crash.
“Our thoughts are with those impacted by the crash, their loved ones, and the first responders and health-care workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe,” the statement read.
Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Create an AccountSign in
Join the Conversation
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
Trending
- B.C. government hit by ’sophisticated cybersecurity incidents’
- Kamloops RCMP warn residents to stay away from two alleged gangsters
- Pamela Anderson's Met Gala gown inspired by her home on Vancouver Island
- Effective immediately, it's illegal to consume hard drugs in public in B.C.
- Trail-blazing B.C. union leader Kim Novak dies with family at her side
Latest National Stories
This Week in Flyers