At least 15 people were killed in a collision when a bus carrying 25 passengers collided with a semi-truck, resulting in a devastating “mass casualty” event.
The catastrophe took place on Thursday, June 15, on the Trans-Canada Highway near Carberry, Manitoba in Canada.
The factors that triggered the collision remain obscure while the authorities persist in their investigations. Of the survivors, ten people suffered injuries and are presently in hospital care.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Assistant Commissioner in Manitoba, Rob Hill, expressed his sorrow during a press briefing. Addressing the anxieties of the families waiting for information, he stated, “I am so sorry we cannot provide you with the definitive answers you need more quickly.
The bus was on its way from Dauphin to Carberry when the eastbound semi-trailer hit it subsequent to the clearing of an intersection. Both drivers are presently hospitalized with injuries.
Law enforcement is evaluating the circumstances of the crash to discern if criminal charges may be appropriate. The initial response required the mobilization of all available local officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and four emergency aircraft, including helicopters from Winnipeg and Regina. The air ambulance service STARS sent 14 of their critical-care personnel to the crash site.
Hospitals in the region invoked a “code orange” alert, amassing additional staff and resources to cope with the sudden influx of patients, assembling surgical and critical-care teams.
Expressions of condolences came from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Manitoba’s Premier Heather Stefanson, with Trudeau describing the crash as “incredibly tragic” and reassuring the victims of Canada’s support.