A passenger bus crash on a highway in the British Columbia Interior has sent more than 50 people to hospital, a local health authority said.
Few details have been released about the collision, but Interior Health tweeted 53 people are being treated at three hospitals in Kelowna, Penticton and Merritt.
The regional health authority said it has implemented a Code Orange response signalling a disaster or mass−casualty event. It said additional critical care staff in areas including the emergency department, medical imaging and surgery have been activated to support urgent patients.
There was no immediate word on whether anyone was killed in the crash, nor on the condition of any patients. The health authority has set up an information line for families looking for more details on loved ones.
The incident took place Christmas Eve on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna, prompting the closure of the roadway in both directions for more than 81 kilometres between Junction Hwy 97 and Aspen Grove.
B.C. Premier David Eby, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, Health Minister Adrian Dix and Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming released a joint statement Saturday evening expressing their shock and sadness over the crash.
“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 statement read.
