Bulkley Valley School District 54 says there were no serious injuries in a crash near Vanderhoof involving a bus carrying SD54 and Lakes District Secondary rugby teams this morning.
They were heading to a rugby tournament in Williams Lake. The trip has been cancelled and students will return home once the roads are safer to drive.
The accident took place on Hwy. 16 near Bearhead Road, which is close to Canfor’s Plateau sawmill in Vanderhoof, at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Sergeant Svend Nielsen with the Vanderhoof RCMP said the accident involved the school bus and another vehicle.
“What we know is that the bus entered the ditch, went down a small embankment, crossed another ditch area and then crossed Beahead Road,” said Sgt. Svend Nielsen with the Vanderhoof RCMP.
“All the kids are safe; two kids have been treated for minor injuries.”
According to Manu Madhok, assistant superintendent for School District 91, there were more than 20 students on the bus.
“Kids were assessed at the scene by paramedics,” he described. “Four kids were brought to the hospital by ambulance, and the rest of the students were also brought to the hospital so that kids could be screened.”
“St. John Hospital has done an excellent job screening all of our kids,” he added. “Other than some bumps and bruises they are all fine.”
Parents have been notified of the incident.
Drive BC says it was snowing with slippery sections in the area.
The following is a statement from the school district posted on Facebook:
At approximately 8:30 am this morning a SD54 bus that was transporting a SD54 rugby team and a Lakes District Secondary rugby team, was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Our current understanding is that there were no serious injuries but students are being taken to St John’s hospital for a further look. Students will be taken to NVSS to warm up as SD91 transportation department works on arranging a bus and driver to transport students and coaches home to Burns Lake and Smithers. Both Smithers Secondary and Lakes District Secondary have been in touch with parents.
– With files from Lakes District News
Smithers Interior News
