Quebec teen studying in B.C. dies after crash between bus and delivery van near Castlegar
An 18-year-old Quebec woman studying at Selkirk College is dead after succumbing to injuries from a bus crash near Castlegar, B.C. last week.
The woman, whose name has not been released, was travelling with about 19 students and staff from the college on a BC transit bus that collided with a delivery van near Castlegar, about 620 km east of Vancouver, on Thursday afternoon.
Castlegar RCMP are still investigating the accident.
"Our hearts go out to the student's family and friends," Selkirk College President Maggie Matear said in a statement.
Student was on life support
The police statement said the teen's classmates administered life-saving first aid before she was transferred to a Kelowna hospital, where she had been on life support.
"All other students and staff involved in the accident were taken to Kootenay Lake Hospital to be assessed and were released on the evening of June 30," Matear said.
Most of the students and staff involved in the collision were part of a five-week language program at Selkirk College.
B.C. Premier John Horgan said he was "deeply saddened" by the news of the 18-year-old's death.
"An investigation is underway to help determine the cause of the crash, so we can work to prevent future accidents of this nature," he said in a statement.
RCMP said an oncoming Purolator van sideswiped the bus on Highway 3 A.
Counsellors from Selkirk College and RCMP victim assistance workers are supporting the remaining Quebec students.
Investigators are working to determine why the van veered into the bus and are looking for any dashcam video from vehicles that were just ahead of the bus before the crash, which took place at about 4:30 p.m. on June 30.
