KELOWNA, B.C. – Jacky Sarim had never seen the Canadian Rockies and recalls being impressed by their majesty and the experience of a snow-cat tour in the ice fields prior to August 28th.
The 31-year-old Cambodian travel agent was wrapping up his four day tour with 55 others, riding on a bus en-route back to Vancouver, when their trip took a horrific turn.
“When the crash (happened), I heard the tour guide shouting to the driver,” says Sarim.
Sarim was sitting directly behind the bus driver. He had just closed his eyes to rest when the bus began to tumble. He was thrown into the stairwell, sustaining significant head and arm injuries.
As he regained consciousness, he immediately thought of his family and employer back home.
“I got a big accident. I don’t can survive or not,” said the text to his boss, followed by his mother’s cell phone number. He then fell back asleep.
As woke up again, he felt the hand of a stranger on his head wound.
“They bring some cloths and not letting the blood come too much,” says Sarim. He was grateful for the company of many strangers, including an off-duty fire fighter as he and the other victims waited for an ambulance for up to two hours at the side of the road.
While critical patients were given a red wrist band indicating an air ambulance ride was required, Sarim says he was quickly changed to a yellow wrist band to prepare for ground transportation after being re-assessed by paramedics.
After an eight day stay at Kelowna General Hospital that saw Sarim receive dozens of staples to close his scalp wound and a skin graft for his wounded arm, he has been released to stay at a Kelowna motel. He has been told not to return home to Cambodia until doctors can re-assess his recovery on September 17th.
“I miss my work. I miss my family,” he says.
Several more victims remain in hospital with significant recovery time ahead from broken bones, skin grafts and internal injuries.
The Okanagan Chinese Canadian Association has been making regular visits to the victims and organizing assistance.
- Posters promoting ‘Steal From Loblaws Day’ are circulating. How did we get here?
- Video shows Ontario police sharing Trudeau’s location with protester, investigation launched
- Canadian food banks are on the brink: ‘This is not a sustainable situation’
- Solar eclipse eye damage: More than 160 cases reported in Ontario, Quebec
Comments