15 killed when bus carrying seniors collides with semi in Manitoba

RCMP has confirmed that 15 people were killed after a bus carrying many seniors collided with a truck on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Winnipeg just before noon.

In what has been one of Canada’s worst road tragedies in recent years, officers told media Thursday night that the bus was heading south on Highway 5, near the town of Carberry. The bus was crossing the westbound lanes of the highway and crossing the eastbound lanes when it was hit by the semi.

Another 10 people were taken to hospital with “various” injuries.

The bus had departed from Dauphin, Man.

Both drivers are being treated in hospital, Supt. Rob Lawson, the officer in charge of major crime services at the Manitoba RCMP, told media Thursday night. The highway “clearly appeared clear” at the time of the crash, and the question of who had the right of way is a “critical point” of a complex investigation that has just begun, he said.

“We need to be aware that there may be misconduct and if so, there may be a criminal element to this investigation.”

Many of the people on board were from Dauphin, Man., he added.

Photos from the crime scene show multiple bodies on the road covered in blue and yellow tarps. The Winnipeg Free Press reported that wheelchairs and crumpled walkers were also present.

Officers in the province are leaning on their colleagues in neighboring Saskatchewan, which Lawson noted have “sadly been through this before”.

In 2018, a semi truck drove through an intersection near town and hit a tour bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team heading to a game.

Sixteen people on the bus were killed: 10 players, the team coach, an assistant coach, trainer, radio play-by-play announcer, statistician and the bus driver. The truck driver subsequently pleaded guilty to dangerous driving resulting in death and bodily injury.

On Thursday night, the team’s main Twitter account posted that they were “devastated” when they learned of the latest crash. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved and affected.”

Manitoba Prime Minister Heather Stefanson said in a statement: “Our hearts are broken. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all lives affected by the horrific and devastating tragedy.”

Kim Armstrong, the administrator of the Dauphin senior center, said the bus left there Thursday morning.

She said the senior community is extremely tight-knit in the city of about 8,600 and the downtown area is like a second home at times.

“It is huge to lose so many individuals from our community, and of course it is shocking. We only pray for those who survive.”

Armstrong said seniors and community members often take bus trips to nearby events or casinos. The tragic crash still feels unimaginable, she said.

“It’s hard to put it into words.”

With files from The Canadian Press

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