Cause of fatal Christmas Eve bus crash still under investigation: B.C. RCMP | 24CA News
Mounties nonetheless have custody of the Ebus that crashed on the Okanagan Connector Christmas Eve, killing 4 passengers and injuring dozens extra.
The investigation into the lethal crash is lively and ongoing, in line with a Tuesday RCMP media launch. BC Highway Patrol is working with Ebus to return baggage and private results from the bus to the passengers.
To date, investigators have decided the bus went off-road to the left, crossed the median and flipped onto its passenger aspect coming to relaxation within the eastbound lanes.
“Passers-by and local residents provided assistance by allowing passengers to warm up in their vehicles and providing blankets while emergency services arrived. All passengers were transported by BC Ambulance Service to local hospitals,” RCMP mentioned within the launch.
“The Ebus was equipped with seat belts, (but) unfortunately, it appears the majority of passengers were not wearing them. The passengers were a mix of local, non-local and foreign nationals. This was a regularly scheduled commercial bus trip from Kelowna to Vancouver.”
While there have been conflicting accounts of how many individuals have been on the bus and what number of have been handled in space hospitals, RCMP have been additionally capable of provide a clearer image of the casualties of the crash.
At this time investigators consider the bus was occupied by 45 passengers and the driving force.
Four passengers died on the scene and at the moment it’s believed that 22 passengers have been transported to Kelowna’s hospital, six to Penticton’s hospital and 13 to Merritt’s hospital. The 4 individuals who died have been transported by the BC Coroners Service. No passengers have been left at scene.
Road situations proceed to be scrutinized within the aftermath of the crash.
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4 lifeless, a number of folks injured in B.C. bus crash on Christmas Eve: RCMP
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RCMP mentioned they “were fluid, transitioning from clear wet roads to frozen with ice and snow on the road surface due to the time of day (sun setting) and changing weather conditions.”
Rain and hail had simply began to fall.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming mentioned in a Tuesday press convention that since a industrial automobile was concerned, the Ministry of Transportation’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement crew can be conducting a post-crash investigation.
“What we do know is that our maintenance contractors were out all day on Saturday with seven pieces of equipment along the Connector, plowing sanding and salting the highway,” Fleming mentioned.
“The winter conditions on Highway 97 seen on Saturday, were not unusual for late December or for high mountain passes. And nearby weather station indicated low precipitation for most of the day in that region.”
He added that street situations noticed on the crash web site instantly following the incidents have been inside the specification set by the ministry for winter street upkeep.
He mentioned there have been indicators posting updates on street situations and no different automobile incidents have been reported or noticed on the connector that day.
Anyone who witnessed the collision and has not spoken to investigators, or has dash-cam footage of the Ebus previous to the collision, or was a passenger that has not been recognized and contacted by police, are requested to contact Cpl. S. Audley by way of e-mail at: Samantha.audley@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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