RCMP say they’re responding to a report of a school bus that rolled over while travelling on a northwestern Manitoba highway near Swan River.
According to police, they received a report at 8:35 a.m. on Tuesday that a school bus carrying a number of children rolled over while travelling on Highway 10, about 13 kilometres south of Mafeking.
The RCMP said it’s believed the rollover occurred when the bus driver, while travelling south on the highway, attempted to pass another bus and lost control.
“The bus went off the highway, rolled and then came to a stop when it was right-side up,” RCMP said in a news release. “Road conditions were believed to be slippery at the time of the incident.
Shared Health Manitoba and Prairie Health say the bus was carrying 14 students ages 16 to 18, and one adult.
According to a news release, 15 patients have attended Swan Valley Health Centre for assessment and treatment of injuries. Of the 15, three youth and one adult were transported by air to Health Sciences Centre in stable condition for further care.
Get breaking National news
Authorities said the four people transported to hospital suffered “significant” but non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials say a family room has been established at Swan Valley, with mental health supports also on site. Family seeking information are asked to call 204-734-3441.
The Swan Valley School Division said the bus had been taking students from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation to the Northern Lights Institute of Trades and Technology, and Swan Valley Regional Secondary School.
“Swan Valley School Division immediately deployed three counsellors and our division’s Knowledge Keeper to the Health Centre to provide emotional support to students and families,” the division said in a statement Tuesday.
“We sincerely thank the first responders for their swift action and compassion during this difficult time.”
Shared Health and Prairie Mountain Health earlier issued Code Orange alerts at the Health Sciences Centre and Swan Valley Health Centre in preparation for patients.
Premier Wab Kinew, speaking to reporters in Gimli, said the crash led to some “pretty scary injuries,” and said he had spoken with Genaille to offer whatever support was needed.
Kinew said he is open to changing bus safety rules, including adding seatbelts, but more needs be known about what happened first.
“What was the cause of this accident? What were the nature of the injuries? What would be the safety measure that would come out of it?” said Kinew.
“We’ve got to get that (information) before we go to the next level.”
Police said a forensic reconstructionist has been deployed to continue the investigation.
— With files from The Canadian Press
Comments