Semi-truck involved in southwestern Manitoba collision with bus had right of way, RCMP say
RCMP say they have video footage from semi involved in crash that left 15 dead, 10 injured
RCMP say video footage from the semi involved in a deadly crash with a bus full of seniors in southwestern Manitoba on Thursday indicates that the semi had the right of way.
The Thursday morning crash, near the southwestern Manitoba town of Carberry, left 15 dead and 11 injured.
RCMP previously said an initial investigation determined the seniors' bus was going south on Highway 5 and was crossing the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway when it was hit by the semi.
In an update at a Friday afternoon news conference, RCMP said the semi's dash cam video shows the bus entering the roadway on Highway 1 when it did not have the right of way.
"We are not assigning culpability or laying any blame at this time. We're merely stating the facts as we know them," said Supt. Rob Lasson from the Manitoba RCMP's major crimes division.
Lasson says witness accounts corroborate what RCMP saw in the video.
More analysis is being done on the video before any further determinations are made, he said.
Investigators are also looking into whether the semi had an event data recorder, which would keep track of its speed, exact co-ordinates and mechanical status.
The semi driver is out of hospital and assisting with the investigation, Lasson said. Police haven't yet spoken with the driver of the bus as he's hospitalized.
"Our primary concern at this time is his medical care and recovery," said Lasson.
RCMP have started the process of identifying those who were killed in the crash.
Lasson said Shared Health, Manitoba's provincial health agency, has identified the 10 patients who are currently in hospital, which means anyone else who was on board the bus is "presumed deceased," he said.
"For the last few hours, RCMP members have been having very difficult conversations with family members, unfortunately notifying them that their loved one is among the 15 believed to be deceased," Lasson said.
"These are answers, but obviously not the kind of answers people were looking for."
The people on board the bus — 19 women and six men — were between 58 and 88 years old.
Three investigators with the Manitoba medical examiner's office are working full time to determine the identities of those who were killed and the causes of death.
WATCH | Crash victims not easily identifiable due to facial trauma:
Dr. John K. Younes, Manitoba's chief medical examiner, says his office will use fingerprints, dental records, surgical history and, as a last resort, DNA to help confirm the identities of those who were killed.
The significant injuries suffered by those who died in the crash make it difficult to identify them visually, Younes said at Friday's news conference.
He says his office hopes to complete the task of confirming identities of the victims by the middle of next week.
"The worst possible outcome for us is to mistakenly identify someone and give wrong information to families, so we have to undertake a scientific means of identification of each of the deceased," Younes said.
10 people in 60s to 80s hospitalized
Earlier in the day, provincial health officials said 10 people are still being treated at hospitals in Winnipeg and Brandon for serious injuries following the deadly crash.
RCMP said six are women and four are men.
"We can now confirm that there have been no new deaths recorded since we last updated the media yesterday afternoon," Lanette Siragusa, chief executive officer with the provincial health agency Shared Health, said during a noon news conference at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
The people injured were taken to Health Sciences Centre and the Brandon Regional Health Centre in southwestern Manitoba on Thursday following the crash.
Of the 10 patients, six are in a critical care unit at the Health Sciences Centre, while four are being treated for a variety of serious injuries in a surgical care unit, Dr. Shawn Young, the chief operating officer of Health Sciences Centre, said at Friday's news conference.
The injuries of the patients at Health Sciences Centre are severe, Young said.
"A number have received operations and more operations are planned, but these injuries are quite significant," he said.
Working to support families: RCMP
Lasson says the RCMP are doing all they can to support the families of those affected by the crash.
Mounties initially opened a family support centre in Dauphin and have opened a second location in Winnipeg to meet demand.
"Each family will be presented with a direct RCMP contact that they can reach out to for support. We know this is of utmost importance," he said.
"It is imperative that we all respect what the families are going through at this time. This is not easy."
WATCH | Family support centres 'of utmost importance' after fatal crash, RCMP say:
In Ottawa on Friday, a moment of silence for the crash victims was observed at the end of question period at the House of Commons.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and are "living through moments of tremendous anguish right now."
"I know that all Canadians stand with people during this very, very difficult time. There are a lot of questions, but mostly there are lots of tears right now. And we will be there for each other," he said.
The flag atop the Peace Tower will be lowered to half-mast in honour of the victims, Trudeau said.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon also offered her condolences to the affected families.
"I cannot imagine the pain and grief families and friends are experiencing this morning," she said during a speech at Rideau Hall on Friday.
"To them, I extend my sincere condolences. I know your community and all Canadians will support you during this difficult time."
She also thanked first responders who helped the crash victims.
WATCH | PM Justin Trudeau offers condolences for southwestern Manitoba crash victims:
