Carberry bus crash

File:Carberry highway collision.svg

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a semi-truck collided with a 24-seat handi-transit bus operated by Quality Care Transit at the intersection of Manitoba Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) and Manitoba Highway 5, near Carberry, Manitoba. The majority of people on the bus were seniors from Dauphin, Manitoba, who were travelling to the Sand Hills Casino near Carberry.{{cite web |last1=Boynton |first1=Sean |date=2023-06-15 |title=Manitoba crash: 15 dead in 'tragic' highway collision near Carberry |url=https://winnipegsun.com/news/provincial/at-least-10-killed-in-crash-on-trans-canada-highway-in-western-manitoba-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615212736/https://winnipegsun.com/news/provincial/at-least-10-killed-in-crash-on-trans-canada-highway-in-western-manitoba-report |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=Winnipeg Sun }}{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bus-crash-seniors-manitoba-carberry-1.6879773 |first=Caitlyn |last=Gowriluk |title=Everything we know about the deadly southwestern Manitoba bus crash |website=CBC News |date=June 17, 2023 |orig-date=June 16, 2023 |access-date=June 18, 2023 |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618083802/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bus-crash-seniors-manitoba-carberry-1.6879773 |url-status=live }} The people aboard the bus, nineteen women and six men, were between 58 and 88 years old. The driver was the co-owner of the company.

Initial investigations determined that the bus was southbound on Highway 5 when it crossed into the eastbound lanes on Highway 1, and was struck by the semi-truck. Later review of the semi-truck's dashcam recording indicated that the semi-truck had the right of way, which was corroborated by witness accounts. According to witnesses, the bus was on fire in the grass on the side of the road, and first responders were trying to get people out.{{cite web |date=2023-06-15 |title=15 dead, 10 in hospital after bus carrying seniors collides with semi truck in western Manitoba |url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/at-least-10-killed-in-crash-on-trans-canada-highway-in-western-manitoba-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616161041/https://calgaryherald.com/news/at-least-10-killed-in-crash-on-trans-canada-highway-in-western-manitoba-report |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=Calgary Herald |agency=The Canadian Press}} The semi-truck had its front end crumpled and burned.

At 11:43 a.m., when the RCMP first received reports of a collision, an air ambulance and twelve ambulances were dispatched to the scene.{{cite news |last=Yousif |first=Nadine |date=2023-06-15 |title=Canada highway crash near Winnipeg leaves at least 15 dead |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65897829 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616185720/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65897829 |archive-date=June 16, 2023}} In the aftermath of the crash, the RCMP stated that all available resources in western Manitoba had been deployed, and that its major crime services had taken over the investigation.{{cite news |last1=May |first1=Katie |date=2023-06-15 |title=At least 15 killed in van, semi-trailer crash on Trans-Canada near Carberry |work=Winnipeg Free Press |url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/06/15/hsc-waiting-for-victims-of-very-serious-crash-on-trans-canada-near-carberry |url-status=live |access-date=June 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616031602/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/06/15/hsc-waiting-for-victims-of-very-serious-crash-on-trans-canada-near-carberry |archive-date=June 16, 2023 }} The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service dispatched two helicopters, one from Winnipeg and one from Regina.{{cite news |last1=Cecco |first1=Leyland |date=2023-06-16 |title='Horrific' Canada highway crash leaves at least 15 dead |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/15/canada-highway-crash-manitoba-mass-casualty |url-status=live |access-date=2023-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616112700/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/15/canada-highway-crash-manitoba-mass-casualty |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 }} Saskatchewan Air Ambulance dispatched two aircraft with doctors onboard from Saskatoon to Brandon to provide support; the planes transported patients onward to Winnipeg.{{cite web |date=June 15, 2023 |title=15 dead in highway crash in Manitoba: RCMP |url=https://www.cjme.com/2023/06/15/regina-stars-air-ambulance-responds-to-crash-in-manitoba/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615203717/https://www.cjme.com/2023/06/15/regina-stars-air-ambulance-responds-to-crash-in-manitoba/ |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=June 18, 2023 |work=CJME}}

Fifteen people were killed in the initial moments, and ten people, including the driver of the bus, were seriously injured and taken to the hospital;{{Cite news |last=Bergen |first=Rachel |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Semi involved in southwestern Manitoba collision with bus had right of way, RCMP say |work=CBC |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/shared-health-update-carberry-mass-casualty-event-1.6879117 |access-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616192939/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/shared-health-update-carberry-mass-casualty-event-1.6879117 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Isai |first1=Vjosa |date=2023-06-15 |title=At Least 15 Die in Highway Crash in Canada |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/15/world/canada/highway-crash-carberry-manitoba.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616101814/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/15/world/canada/highway-crash-carberry-manitoba.html |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}} a sixteenth person, one of the initial 10 transported with injuries, died due to their injuries six days later.{{Cite news |title= Woman injured in fatal crash near Carberry, Man., dies in hospital, bringing death toll to 16 |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/survivor-carberry-crash-dies-hospital-death-16-1.6883717 |website= CBC News |date= June 21, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=McKendrick |first=Devon |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Manitoba bus crash death toll climbs to 16 after victim dies in hospital |work=CTV News |url=https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/manitoba-bus-crash-death-toll-climbs-to-16-after-victim-dies-in-hospital-1.6450081 |access-date=June 21, 2023}} Another victim succumbed to her injuries a month later. The driver of the semi-truck was also sent to the hospital, but has since been released.

According to officials, 10 individuals from the bus were admitted to the hospital with injuries that are likely to be "significant" given the "magnitude and force" of the crash. As of June 16, six of the ten were in critical condition, while the other four were being cared for in a surgical unit.{{cite web |date=2023-06-16 |title=The latest on the deadly crash between seniors' bus and semi truck in rural Manitoba |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/06/16/the-latest-on-the-deadly-crash-between-seniors-bus-and-semi-truck-in-rural-manitoba.html |access-date=2023-06-17 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |agency=The Canadian Press}} Following the death of one of the injured on June 21, nine remained in hospital with four considered in critical condition. By July 11, seven people remained in hospital, one of them in the critical care unit.{{cite web | url=https://beta.ctvnews.ca/local/winnipeg/2023/7/11/1_6475646.amp.html | title=Two discharged from hospital after bus crash in Manitoba; seven in hospital }} Six days later another victim succumbed to her injuries and five were reported to remain in hospital.

According to the RCMP, all ten of the initially injured have been identified and they are still in the process of identifying the deceased.

The RCMP opened two family support centres, one in Dauphin, and an additional one in Winnipeg to meet demand. The Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg declared a "code orange" due to the mass casualty incident. The RCMP stated that it was "the first mass casualty motor vehicle accident they were aware of in Manitoba."{{Cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Kim |last2=Bilefsky |first2=Dan |date=2023-06-16 |title=10 Minutes From Their Destination, a Crash Took Their Lives |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/16/world/canada/manitoba-car-crash-canada.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |issn=0362-4331}}

Those familiar with the area have stated that the intersection between Highway 1 and Manitoba Highway 5 where the collision occurred is dangerous, and they called for safety improvements.{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Dave |date=16 June 2023 |title=Truckers, motorists say intersection of Highway 5 and Trans-Canada is dangerous |work=Winnipeg Sun |url=https://winnipegsun.com/news/provincial/truckers-motorists-say-intersection-of-highway-5-and-trans-canada-is-dangerous}}{{Cite news |last=Prentice |first=Amy-Ellen |date=June 17, 2023 |title=Carberry, Man. community rocked by fatal bus crash, demands better road conditions |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9776141/carberry-man-community-rocked-by-fatal-bus-crash-demands-better-road-conditions/ |access-date=2023-06-20 |website=Global News |language=en-CA}} The crash also led to a wider discussion on safety of the numerous at-grade intersections along the Trans-Canada Highway as trucking association and citizens advocated for constructing additional grade separations.{{cite news |title= Manitoba bus crash brings focus on safety of at-grade intersections in Canada |url= https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/06/15/manitoba-bus-crash-brings-focus-on-safety-of-at-grade-intersections-in-canada.html |author= Chuck Chiang |publisher= The Canadian Press |website= Toronto Star |date= June 15, 2023}}{{cite news |title= Manitoba crash shows the danger of intersections on Canada's highways |author= Aaron D'Andrea |url= https://globalnews.ca/news/9777709/manitoba-crash-trans-canada-highway-intersections/ |website= Global News |date= June 19, 2023}}{{cite news |title= Fatal bus crash prompts calls to make Highway 1 intersections safer |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/highway-1-intersections-safer-fatal-bus-crash-1.6880896 |website= CBC News |date= June 19, 2023}}

A vigil was held in Dauphin at the Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium on the evening of Thursday, June 22.

Police did not immediately state which driver was responsible for the collision.{{cite news |last1=Ljunggren |first1=David |date=2023-06-16 |title=At least 15 killed in Canada highway crash after truck hits bus in Manitoba |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/least-10-dead-after-vehicle-crash-manitoba-province-cbc-news-2023-06-15/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616063609/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/least-10-dead-after-vehicle-crash-manitoba-province-cbc-news-2023-06-15/ |archive-date=June 16, 2023 }} Unlike a number of intersections on Highway 1, this junction is not controlled by traffic signals; as such, traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway, i.e. the semi-truck in this incident, would normally have the right of way. Police also stated that the semi-truck driver was assisting with the investigation. Police did not speak with the bus driver immediately, as he was hospitalized.

Members of the Saskatchewan RCMP who investigated a similar crash involving the Humboldt Broncos five years prior are also assisting with this investigation. The investigation is expected to take several months to complete.

The premier of Manitoba, Heather Stefanson, stated "My heart breaks hearing the news of the tragic accident near Carberry. My most sincere condolences go out to all those involved."{{cite tweet |number=1669430335560470537 |user=HStefansonMB |title=My heart breaks hearing the news of the tragic accident near Carberry. My most sincere condolences go out to all those involved. |author=Heather Stefanson |date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=June 15, 2023}} Lieutenant-Governor Anita Neville conveyed her sympathies by offering sincere thoughts and prayers to the friends and family who have been directly affected by the situation{{Cite web|last1=May|first1=Katie|last2=Kitching|first2=Chris|date=June 15, 2023|title='Our hearts are broken'|url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/06/15/hsc-waiting-for-victims-of-very-serious-crash-on-trans-canada-near-carberry|website=The Free Press|access-date=June 20, 2023|archive-date=June 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616031602/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/06/15/hsc-waiting-for-victims-of-very-serious-crash-on-trans-canada-near-carberry|url-status=live}} Several other politicians, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, and premier of Saskatchewan Scott Moe also expressed their condolences.{{Cite tweet |number=1669453191358951425 |user=JustinTrudeau |title=The news from Carberry, Manitoba is incredibly tragic. I'm sending my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones today, and I'm keeping the injured in my thoughts. I cannot imagine the pain those affected are feeling – but Canadians are here for you. |author=Justin Trudeau |date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=June 15, 2023}}{{cite news |title= At least 15 dead in Canada highway collision |url= https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/15/americas/canada-highway-collision-intl-latam/index.html |first1=Alisha |last1=Ebrahimji |first2=Sara |last2=Smart |website= CNN |date= June 16, 2023}} At the House of Commons on Friday, a moment of silence was observed for the victims at the end of question period. According to Trudeau, the flag atop the Peace Tower would be lowered to half-mast.

William Doherty, CEO of Day and Ross, the shipping company to which the truck belonged, promised full cooperation. He also stated that Day and Ross employees are heartbroken by the incident, offering his condolences to families and those affected by the incident.{{cite web |title=15 dead, 10 hospitalized in crash on Trans-Canada Highway in Manitoba: RCMP |url=https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/15-dead-10-hospitalized-in-crash-on-trans-canada-highway-in-manitoba-rcmp-1.6442629 |website=CTV News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615221818/https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/15-dead-10-hospitalized-in-crash-on-trans-canada-highway-in-manitoba-rcmp-1.6442629 |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |url-status=live |last1=Unger |first1=Danton |date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-16 |language=en }} During the news conference, Deputy Premier Cliff Cullen stated that crisis support mental health services would be extended to everyone involved in the upcoming days.

The Government of Manitoba announced in January 2024 that $12 million was being set aside to upgrade the intersection at the site of the collisions.{{cite news |title= Roundabout, special U-turn among options proposed for site of Manitoba highway crash that killed 17 |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/carberry-intersection-safety-report-deadly-bus-crash-1.7077092 |website= CBC News |date= January 8, 2023}} A consultant was being hired to investigate whether a roundabout, widening the median, or creating a restricted crossing U-turn would be the best option for the intersection, with the project expected to be completed by fall 2026.

On the first anniversary of the crash, survivors, families, and local and provincial official gathered for a ceremony and unveiled a memorial to the victims was unveiled in the CN Park in Dauphin.{{cite news |title='We will not forget': Families, community gather in Dauphin on 1st anniversary of deadly bus crash |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/dauphin-one-year-anniversary-monument-1.7236407 |access-date=16 June 2024 |agency=CBC News |date=15 June 2024}} Speeches were given by Dauphin mayor David Bosiak, first responders, and premier Wab Kinew and a moment of silence was held.

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