Over 50 hospitalized after bus crash on Highway 97C near Merritt
Posted Dec 24, 2022 9:30 pm.
Last Updated Dec 26, 2022 9:24 am.
At least 53 people have been taken to hospital as part of a serious bus crash that happened on Highway 97C Saturday night.
According to Interior Health, the patients were taken to three different hospitals in Kelowna, Penticton, and Merritt.
The health authority has issued a code orange, meaning a disaster or mass casualties, due to the incident. It is unknown if there are any fatalities.
Interior Health has initiated a Code Orange response as a result of a bus accident on #HWY97C Medical teams are currently receiving 53 patients at 3 hospitals located in #Kelowna #Penticton #Merritt.
We are not in a position to provide patient conditions at this time. 1/3
— Interior Health (@Interior_Health) December 25, 2022
Premier David Eby and ministers released a statement on the incident late Saturday night.
“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,” the statement read.
“Our thoughts are with those impacted by the crash, their loved ones, and the first responders and health-care workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe.”
The RCMP earlier said a passenger bus was involved in a serious accident near Merritt, Saturday with Okanagan Connector closed in both directions.
A caller to CityNews, one of the fathers of two passengers who asked not to be named for privacy, says the accident happened around 6:15 pm Saturday.
“Thirty minutes ago I called ambulance services, they said they were notified and they’re sending things but it’s a full bus, right. There’s 40-50 people on the bus. My two daughters are on the bus and they called and they’re not okay,” the caller said.
He says there are reports of serious injuries from passengers on board. According to the father, his daughters and some fellow passengers are sheltering in cars that have pulled over to assist as it is dark, and many people have lost their phones.
CityNews will be updating as we hear more about this incident.
