Manitoba school bus rollover: 14 students, driver sent to hospital

Fourteen students and a driver were taken to hospital, including four with significant injuries, in a school bus rollover in western Manitoba on Tuesday morning.

Swan River RCMP say the school bus rolled over on Highway 10 south of Mafeking, near Swan River and the border with Saskatchewan, about 550 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. Mounties were notified at 8:35 a.m.

“At this time, it is believed the rollover occurred when the driver of the school bus, travelling south on the highway, attempted to pass another bus and lost control,” according to Swan River RCMP. “The bus went off the highway, rolled and then came to a stop when it was right-side up. Road conditions were believed to be slippery at the time of the incident.”

The Swan Valley School Division says all 15 people on board were assessed at the scene and transported to the health centre in Swan River for evaluation.

Police say four of those — three children and one adult — sustained “significant but non-life-threatening injuries.” They were transported by air to Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre.

The school bus was transporting students from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and the Northern Lights Institute of Trades and Technology to Swan Valley Regional High School.

“Swan Valley School Division immediately deployed three counsellors and our division’s Knowledge Keeper to the Health Centre to provide emotional support to students and families,” the school board wrote in a statement.

“We also extend our gratitude to the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre for offering a warm space with coffee and lunch for families needing a place to gather.

“We sincerely thank the first responders for their swift action and compassion during this difficult time.”

Executives at Shared Health and Prairie Mountain Health said in a statement that a code orange alert — a signal to prepare for a potential mass casualty event — had initially been invoked as a precaution at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre, but was later rescinded.

Photos circulating on social media show a yellow Sapotaweyak Education Authority bus tilted in the snow with a crumpled front end, shattered side windows and an open back door.

The statement said no further updates on the condition of those injured in the crash would be provided to protect patient privacy.

“We also extend our thoughts to Chief Nelson Genaille and Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, recognizing the broader impact an incident like this can have on the entire community,” the statement read.

“While we are thankful this incident did not result in any loss of life, we recognize the emotional toll such an event can have on those who experienced it.”

Premier Wab Kinew, speaking to reporters in Gimli, said the crash led to some “pretty scary injuries,” and said he had spoken with Genaille to offer whatever support was needed.

Kinew said he is open to changing bus safety rules, including adding seatbelts, but more needs be known about what happened first.

“What was the cause of this accident? What were the nature of the injuries? What would be the safety measure that would come out of it?” said Kinew.

“We’ve got to get that (information) before we go to the next level.”

Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, said in a statement, “Our thoughts remain with those who were injured, and we are grateful to the first responders, health-care workers, and school staff who acted quickly to protect and care for the students.”

Adding, “We will continue to stand with local leadership and advocate for the safety, care, and dignity every child deserves.” 

–With files from The Canadian Press