Crash kills 15 seniors

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This article was published 16/06/2023 (1021 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEAR CARBERRY — A collision with a semi-trailer on the Trans-Canada Highway at the intersection of Highway 5 has killed 15 seniors from Dauphin who were on a bus to the Sand Hills Casino near Carberry late Thursday morning.

Another 10 were taken to hospital with various injuries, RCMP said.

Mounties said a semi-trailer was eastbound when a bus heading south on Highway 5 crossed the westbound lanes and was crossing the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada when it was struck by the semi-trailer.

“Sadly, this is a day in Manitoba and across Canada that will be remembered as one of tragedy and incredible sadness. I want to express my deepest condolences on behalf of the RCMP to every family member who is grieving today,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

According to the Canadian Press, officials said 12 ambulances responded, along with air support, to the crash, which occurred in clear weather conditions at about noon.

The Sun was on the scene at 1:30 p.m. A semi-truck had stopped on the shoulder of the highway, while a burned-out van was in the ditch further east.

A bent stop sign was laying in the ditch and skid marks trailing the semi were visible.

At least seven yellow tarps and blood-stained blankets covered bodies. Crumpled walkers and debris were scattered along the pavement.

Carberry North Cypress-Langford Fire and Rescue and Neepawa Fire was on scene. Brandon Fire and Emergency Services attended with a 10-person crew. Fire captain Terry Browett told the Sun that BFES received a call at 11:45 a.m. and provided a crew, but did not respond to the fire itself. Rather, it assisted in providing four additional ambulances and a rescue unit.

Brandon resident Tracy Leitch was driving west on the Trans-Canada on her way to the United States when she noticed smoke billowing into the air.

When she passed the scene moments later, victims were being tended to on the ground. She said she saw that the bus had burnt to the ground.

“I was in shock a little bit, and almost wanted to start crying. I felt sorry for all the people involved and the families. Just heartbroken,” she told the Sun’s sister newspaper, the Winnipeg Free Press.

By 3 p.m. police tape was up at the scene and, about 20 minutes later, firefighters assisted police in holding up tarps while officers photographed bodies.

Manitoba RCMP stated in a press release that their units from across western Manitoba responded to the scene.

By late afternoon, more debris from the crash, including wrappers from blood bags and blood-stained gauze had drifted across to the other side of the highway.

A STARS helicopter landed on scene and transported one person immediately to Winnipeg hospital. A second helicopter landed at Brandon Municipal Airport and left for Winnipeg hospital at about 3:30 p.m. STARS communications officer, Blake Robert told the Sun that the company sent eight aviation medical crew from Winnipeg to Brandon. Robert called the event a “large deployment” but said that is was not unprecedented.

Ambulances transported several people from the scene to Brandon hospital where treatment was started, then six critical care teams at the Brandon airport worked to load five people from the hospital onto air-medevacs to be taken to Winnipeg hospital.

Nirmesh Vadera, who works at the Robin’s Nest Hotel and Cafe near the intersection, went outside to see what was happening after seeing emergency services vehicles.

Though he said he hadn’t seen a crash as bad as Thursday’s he told the Free Press that collisions usually happen at the intersection.

“The junction is really bad,” he said. “Every year, we see a collision.”

The Canadian Press reported that he truck company said in a statement it was heartbroken about the crash but had limited details about what happened.

“We are holding out hope that those injured will recover,” said William Doherty, CEO of Day & Ross. “We will fully co-operate with the investigation and offer any assistance and support that we can.”

RCMP Major Crimes arrived on scene in the afternoon and continue to investigate.

In a Thursday afternoon press release, Shared Health and Prairie Mountain Health announced that a Code Orange was called, triggering a “mass casualty response” that involved emergency responders from within Shared Health and STARS.

A provincial government bulletin indicated that, as of 3:45 p.m., the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada at the intersection remained closed and a detour using service roads was in place. The westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway were open but the bulletin noted traffic should expect delays.

The Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and hospitals in Prairie Mountain Health and Winnipeg Health Region were ready to receive patients from the crash or any patients moved to increase capacity at Manitoba’s tertiary centre at HSC — tertiary care requires highly specialized skills, technology and support.

Response teams were at the scene to transport patients while emergency, surgical and critical care teams were ready at the Brandon Regional Health Centre and HSC. A “family room” was established at each of those hospitals, and phone numbers were provided for family members who sought more information.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett offered his condolences and thanked emergency responders in a statement released late Thursday afternoon. “Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones impacted by the tragic accident,” the statement read. Flags at city facilities will be lowered to half-mast.

Messages of condolence and support also poured in from across the country.

“My heart breaks hearing the news of the tragic accident near Carberry,” Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson posted on social media. “My most sincere condolences go out to all those involved.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on Twitter, called the news “incredibly tragic.”

“I’m sending my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones today, and I’m keeping the injured in my thoughts,” he said.

“I cannot imagine the pain those affected are feeling — but Canadians are here for you.”

A family support centre has been set-up in Dauphin in the basement of the Kirby Avenue East Lutheran Church. RCMP say they have officers at the centre to answer questions for family members.

» gmortfield@brandonsun.com,

» with files from the Free Press