At least 15 are dead and 10 people are in hospital following a tragic collision that took place on the Trans-Canada Highway north of the town of Carberry in southwestern Manitoba.
RCMP report the eastbound semi-trailer struck a southbound bus at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 5 shortly before Noon today (Thursday, June 15, 2023).
Police have confirmed the bus was carrying a number of senior citizens from the Dauphin, MB area. At this point, not all next of kin have been notified.
Jennifer Cumpsty, Executive Director of Acute Health Services at Shared Health, provided that 10 people were transported to four hospitals across Manitoba.
"The emergency response triaged on the scene and then transported [the patients] to the hospitals between Prairie Mountain Health and Winnipeg. We are continuing to triage and move [the patients] where they need to be. Most of the injuries were head injuries or orthopedic in nature and will continue to assess as we go," said Cumpsty noting she couldn't provide the conditions of the patients at this time.
STARS Air Ambulance sent four ambulance helicopters to the scene (two from Regina and two from Winnipeg) in addition to another eight medical crew to help assist local EMS and other first responders.
Superintendent Rob Lasson, the officer in charge of major crime services, says numerous RCMP officers and Major Crime Services were deployed from across Manitoba to the scene.
"Major crime services has deployed specialized investigators and experts who are very experienced in working these types of large, complex investigations. Additionally, the Manitoba RCMP has also deployed specialists in forensic collision reconstruction, forensic identification section experts, and we are working closely with other experts throughout the province."
"This incident does have echoes of the tragic collision that happened in Humboldt, SK and we are very much aware of that. We have already linked into the investigators in Saskatchewan who have first-hand experience and were some of the primary investigators in the investigation into the Humboldt crash who are assisting us right now in any way we they can."
Shared Health Manitoba issued a Code Orange in Winnipeg and Prairie Mountain Health shortly after Noon in response to the accident. The code triggered an "all-systems" response to ensure capacity in the system for patients to receive care.
In a prepared statement, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said, "Our hearts are broken, and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all the lives impacted by the horrific and devastating tragedy near the Town of Carberry. I know our dedicated first responders and health-care workers are doing all they can to assist and I want to thank them on behalf of all Manitobans. The flags at the Legislative Building have been lowered to half-mast out of respect for those we have tragically lost."
RCMP stressed this is a developing situation and ask anyone with information - including video - to reach out to RCMP.