Quebec student killed after courier van hits city bus near Castlegar, B.C.

A 19-year-old woman visiting B.C. from Quebec for a college trip has died after the city bus she was on collided with a courier van.

The woman was one of 16 students visiting the Kootenays as part of a program at Selkirk College on June 30, police said, when the BC Transit bus they were travelling in on Highway 3A near Castlegar was sideswiped by a van that crossed the centre line.

The teen was seated next to the window where the Purolator van hit and suffered most from the impact.

“After her classmates attempted life-saving first aid, the injured student was transported to Trail Regional Hospital and then Kelowna General Hospital where she remains on life support, although she is not expected to survive,” police said in their initial news release.

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On Monday evening, Selkirk College confirmed to Global News that the student had succumbed to her injuries.

“Our hearts go out to the students’ family and friends, to whom we offer our most sincere condolences,” said Selkirk College President Maggie Matear in a written statement. “The college community grieves with the other students in the program, our faculty and staff who were just getting to know the student, and all those who are feeling this tremendous loss.”

B.C. Premier John Horgan also said he was deeply saddened to hear of the fatal crash.

“My thoughts are with these students, their loved ones and the Selkirk College community at this difficult time,” said Horgan in a written statement. “We are in contact with the Government of Quebec to offer any assistance necessary to ensure families can be with their loved ones.”

Highway 3A was closed for several hours while officers gathered evidence and recovered the vehicles involved.

RCMP Victim Assistance and counsellors from Selkirk College have started the task of helping the involved students.

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Video from the BC Transit bus showed three vehicles: a blue two-door coupe, a silver SUV and an older grey Pathfinder behind the courier whose drivers may have specific information.

Anyone with more details, such as dashcam footage, is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol at 250-354-5180 and cite file 2022-3153.

Editor’s Note: The student was described as 18 years old in a previous version of this story. The RCMP later corrected her age to 19 years old and the story has been updated to reflect that.