A bus crash on Highway 97C in B.C.’s Interior on Christmas Eve has sent 53 people to three area hospitals.
It’s unclear at this time exactly what happened, but Interior Health has initiated a Code Orange response for the incident near Merritt, which means a disaster or mass casualties.
A graphic showing the approximate location of the bus crash in B.C.’s Southern Interior, between Merritt and Kelowna.
DriveBC
B.C. RCMP issued a statement around 8:20 p.m., confirming the accident, saying it was a passenger bus and that the highway had been closed to traffic.
It is unknown at this time if there are any fatalities, with Interior Health stating “we are not in a position to provide patient conditions at this time.”
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“No further information is available at this time,” police said. “Updates will be provided once more information becomes available.”
Medical teams are currently receiving the patients at hospitals in Kelowna, Penticton, and Merritt.
Interior Health said, “we will make every effort to connect families with patients as soon as possible.”
In a Twitter post at 8:21 p.m., B.C. Emergency Health Services said the crash took place near the Loon Lake exit, adding that multiple ground units were on scene and that more were on the way.
DriveBC is reporting that Highway 97C has been closed in both directions between the Aspen Grove junction and Peachland, and that the next assessment will be Sunday morning at 6 a.m.
Just before 10 p.m., the province released a statement from Premier David Eby, public safety minister Mike Farnworth, health minister Adrian Dix, and transportation minister Rob Fleming.
“On this Christmas Eve we are shocked and saddened to hear of the serious bus accident on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna,” said the statement.
“Our thoughts are with those impacted by the crash, their loved ones, and the first responders and healthcare workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe.”
More to come.
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