Two people have been killed after a bus carrying students from the University of Victoria crashed en route to the Marine Sciences Centre at Bamfield.
The bus, carrying 48 people including the driver, rolled over around the 36-kilometre marker near the Carmanah Main Junction on a gravel road, at around 10 p.m. on Friday, RCMP told Black Press Media.
Three people had been airlifted to Victoria General Hospital – two in critical condition, one in serious condition, said officials with the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and BC Emergency Health Services.
The remaining victims were taken to a reception centre at Echo Centre, set up by the City of Port Alberni, to be bused back to Victoria.
Officials with @cityportalberni and the RCMP expected to give an update later this morning. Here are some of the students arriving at the reception centre, waiting to be bused back to Victoria. No update on the status of the third patient transported to hospital. pic.twitter.com/i6oaW9QBD9
— Alberni Valley News (@AlberniNews) September 14, 2019
Two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft from 442 Squadron Comox were deployed to assist the Port Alberni RCMP, paramedics, and firefighters.
“Last night was tough,” the Port Alberni Fire Department said in a tweet Saturday morning.
“Unfortunately, two passengers perished on-scene. Our thoughts are with the family and friends affected.”
Last night was tough. A bus carrying @uvic students crashed on #BamfieldMain. Resources from #PAFD, @BC_EHS, RCMP & @RCAF_ARC all responded in force. Unfortunately, 2 passengers perished on-scene. Our thoughts are with the family & friends affected. #portalberni #bamfield #uvic pic.twitter.com/THbn1h0dg2
— Port Alberni Fire (@portalbernifire) September 14, 2019
It’s not clear what caused the bus to crash. Weather may have been a factor, with the heavy rain.
Family members looking for information can call RCMP at 250-723-2424.
READ MORE: UVic president offers condolences after two students killed in bus crash
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
Students arrive at the Echo Centre reception area in Port Alberni on Sept. 14, 2019, after their bus crashed on the way to Bamfield the night before. (Teresa Bird/Alberni Valley News)
A bus stands by at the Echo Centre to take passengers who were on board a bus that crashed Sept. 13 near Bamfield back to Victoria, on Sept. 14, 2019. (Teresa Bird/Alberni Valley News)
Officials await the arrival of passengers, most of them students, who were on board a bus that crashed Sept. 13 near Bamfield on Sept. 14, 2019. (Teresa Bird/Alberni Valley News)
Emergency services responded to a bus crash on Bamfield Main on Friday night. (Port Alberni Fire Department / Twitter)
