Several individuals, including minors who were part of a swim team, were injured and taken to the hospital following a collision between a passenger bus and a heavy truck on Highway 117 in Mont-Laurier, Quebec, on Thursday afternoon.

The extent of the injuries sustained by the victims is currently unknown, as authorities from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) are still conducting an investigation into the incident.

According to the local health agency, approximately 10 minors aged between 11 and 17 are currently receiving medical care at the Mont-Laurier hospital, which is located about 240 kilometres northwest of Montreal. Those who escaped injury were brought to Mont-Laurier’s city hall, where a psychosocial team has been deployed to provide assistance.

The collision took place at around 3:45 p.m. when the bus driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the truck near Lac Gatineau Road.

Francis Ménard, the director of the provincial swimming association known as Fédération de natation du Québec, confirmed that the Club aquatique régional Abitibi-Témiscamingue (CARAT) team from Val-d’Or, Quebec, was involved in the accident. The team was en route to a competition in Blainville, Quebec. Ménard mentioned that a coach sustained serious injuries in the crash, and a few team members were also hospitalized with injuries, with some scheduled to be transferred to Montreal later in the evening.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident,” the association posted on Facebook. “We understand that this situation can have emotional repercussions on our athletes and coaches, especially during this competitive period.”

Currently, Highway 117 is shut down in both directions near Mont-Laurier as collision reconstruction experts from the SQ work to determine the causes and circumstances surrounding the collision.

Southern Quebec experienced heavy snowfall throughout the day on Thursday, but authorities have yet to establish the exact cause of the collision.