By Canadian Press

Pedestrian dies after bus carrying elementary school pupils crashes in B.C. Interior

Jun 21, 2024 | 5:45 PM

100 MILE HOUSE, B.C. — A pedestrian is dead after a bus carrying elementary school students crashed and ran off a highway in British Columbia’s central Interior.

Police say the person was struck on Highway 97 in a second collision in the aftermath of the bus crash, that resulted in numerous people being taken to hospital with varying injuries.

Police say there were more than 30 children and adults on the bus that went down an embankment, and all have been accounted for.

The BC Highway Patrol says the crash happened around 1 p.m. on Highway 97 near Lac La Hache, B.C., about 25 kilometres north of 100 Mile House.

They say in the subsequent incident a vehicle struck a pedestrian who did not survive despite life-saving efforts.

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School District 27 superintendent Chris van der Mark said the students on the bus were in Grade 6 and Grade 7 from 100 Mile Elementary and Horse Lake Elementary.

Van der Mark said the pupils were returning from a field trip to the Williams Lake area.

Emergency workers responded with multiple ground and air ambulances.

Van der Mark said the bus stayed upright during the incident, “which was very important, obviously, but it was a pretty rough spot where it left the road.”

He said Friday afternoon that all students had been reunited with their parents.

“The most important thing is that all of our students and our staff are accounted for and some will be getting medical treatment as needed,” said Van der Mark.

— With files from CHNL

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2024.

The Canadian Press