– First responders praised school bus crash Cariboo region
– First responders praised school bus accident Cariboo region.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : The rapid response to the school bus collision in the Cariboo region of British Columbia that resulted in approximately 36 individuals sustaining injuries on Friday was crucial in ensuring the safety of all those involved, as stated by Roger Hollander, the Cariboo Regional District fire chief who was present at the scene.
Expressing his immense pride in the volunteer fire departments and firefighters who attended the scene, Hollander commended their efforts in responding to the incident alongside other partner agencies. Seven individuals were airlifted to the hospital, while another seven were transported via ambulances. Tragically, a subsequent incident at the same location resulted in the fatality of one person, with the B.C. RCMP withholding information about the deceased individual on Saturday.
According to the RCMP, the school bus veered off Highway 97, north of 100 Mile House, before plummeting down an embankment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by authorities.
Cpl. Brett Urano, the division media relations officer, confirmed that a second incident occurred following the bus crash, wherein an individual was struck by a vehicle at the same location. Despite the valiant efforts of first responders, the individual did not survive.
The students onboard the bus, comprising Grade 6 and 7 pupils from 100 Mile Elementary and Horse Lake Elementary, were returning from a field trip to Gavin Lake, situated approximately 90 kilometres northwest of 100 Mile House, as per Chris van der Mark, the superintendent of the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. Nearly 40 students and four adults, including the driver and teachers, were successfully extricated from the accident site by fire Chief Hollander and his team.
While several students were assisted by passersby and witnesses, the driver and one student required extrication by fire crews upon their arrival. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of 100 Mile House Fire Rescue, RCMP, and volunteer firefighters, both individuals were successfully rescued.
Van der Mark affirmed the school district’s commitment to supporting the affected children and families. Expressing relief that the injuries sustained were largely limited to broken bones, sprains, and concussions, van der Mark lauded the swift response of staff and first responders in mitigating the severity of the incident.
Highlighting the selflessness and dedication of volunteer firefighters, Hollander revealed that one firefighter’s child was among those injured in the crash. The firefighter, who had to rescue his own child and assist others, exemplified the unwavering commitment of fire department members, especially volunteers, in times of crisis.
The volunteer firefighter’s child was airlifted to a hospital for treatment and is currently recuperating. B.C. Emergency Health Services dispatched 11 ambulances and seven air ambulances to the scene to provide medical assistance and transport to the injured individuals..
– first responders praised following school bus crash
– school bus crash in B.C.’s Cariboo region.
