File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Bus Crash

Pedestrian killed, occupants injured in Lac La Hache school bus crash Friday

Jun 21, 2024 | 5:19 PM

LAC LA HACHE, B.C. — RCMP say a pedestrian was killed at the scene of a school bus that crashed in the Cariboo Friday (June 21).

Police and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) personnel responded to Highway 97 at Butler Road in Lac La Hache just before 1:00 p.m. Friday.

A school bus had careened down an embankment at that location. Speaking to the 100 Mile House Free Press, School District 27 superintendent Chris van der Mark said the bus remain upright as it descended.

Shortly after that collision, RCMP say a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. Paramedics provided life-saving efforts but the person was pronounced dead.

RCMP say there were more than 30 people on the bus, which was returning to the 100 Mile House area after a field trip in Williams Lake. Area MP Todd Doherty noted the bus contained Grade 7 students. Van der Mark told parents to head to the South Cariboo Rec Centre to be reunited with their children.

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All of the occupants of the bus have been accounted for. Police say numerous occupants of the bus were taken to hospital for treatment of “varying injuries.”

BCEHS sent 11 ground ambulances and seven air ambulances to the scene, along with dozens of personnel.

Highway 97 was still closed into Friday evening as investigators processed the scene.

Anyone with relevant dash cam video is asked to contact BC Highway Patrol-100 Mile House at (250) 395-2456.