Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Horwood was 42. In fact, she would have turned 42 in a week. Global News regrets the error.
A Canadian woman from Gatineau, Que., was among 12 people killed Tuesday after a tour bus carrying Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers crashed near Mayan ruins in Mexico.
Stephanie Horwood, 41, was killed in Tuesday morning’s crash, a family member confirmed to Global News. She was about to turn 42 on Dec. 27.
Horwood was with her partner, Frédéric Reinthaler, and his two daughters, aged 9 and 11, according to Reinthaler’s mother. Reinthaler suffered cuts to his legs, while his daughters suffered bumps and bruises and one of them has a shoulder injury.
Global Affairs Canada had confirmed Wednesday a Canadian national died as a result of the crash.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with those affected by the bus crash in Mexico,” spokesperson Philip Hannan said in a statement. “Consular officials in Ottawa and in Playa del Carmen, Mexico are in contact with affected Canadian citizens as well as family members and are providing consular assistance as required.”
Reinthaler’s mother said her son will return to Ottawa with his daughters on Thursday, but Horwood’s body will be transported to her family in Newfoundland-Labrador.
She said there would be two funeral ceremonies: one in Horwood’s native St. John’s, N.L., and the other in Gatineau
WATCH: Past coverage of fatal bus crashes
Royal Caribbean Cruises said Tuesday 27 of its guests were on an excursion to the Chacchoben ruins in Costa Maya.
Royal Caribbean Cruises said in a statement Wednesday the guests on the tour bus were from two separate ships, the Celebrity Equinox and Serenade of the Seas, en-route to the Chacchoben ruins.
“Our hearts go out to all those involved in the bus accident in Costa Maya,” the cruise line said in a statement. “We are doing all we can to care for our guests, including assisting with medical care and transportation.”
Quintana Roo government officials said 31 people were on the bus when it crashed, injuring 18. The government said two Swedish tourists and eight Americans were among the 12 killed in the crash. A Mexican tour guide was also killed.
Images from the scene show the covered bus toppled on its side after the driver lost control of the vehicle.
Cause of the crash still unknown
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The driver of the bus was arrested, according to officials, saying that speeding and driver negligence was a factor in the crash.
Quintana Roo, state attorney Miguel Ángel Pech Cen said at a news conference that the vehicle left a narrow road, and the driver lost control when trying to return it onto the street, el Neuvo Herald reported.
Other officials suggested a tire blew out, causing the driver to lose control.
“It seems a front tire of the bus exploded, making it lose control and leave the asphalt,” Carlos Briceno Villagomez, head of the police in the municipality of Bacalar, told Mexican TV network Televisa on Tuesday night.
*with a file from Reuters and the Canadian Press
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