UPDATE #3:
At 11:40am today, RCMP responded to a mass casualty collision between a semi-trailer & bus. At this time, there are 15 fatalities & 10 people taken to hospital with various injuries. Major Crime Services is investigating & on scene.
The semi-trailer was heading eastbound on Hwy1 & the bus, carrying senior citizens from Dauphin, was headed southbound on Hwy5. The bus had already crossed the westbound lanes of Hwy 1 & was crossing the eastbound lanes when it was struck by the semi.
A family support centre has been set-up in Dauphin in the basement of the Lutheran Church at 2 Kirby Avenue East. We have RCMP officers there who can answer questions for families who are concerned. Families can also call the support centre at 204-647-5058.
UPDATE #2:
The Manitoba RCMP has deployed all available resources to respond to a mass casualty collision on Highway 1 near Highway 5.
RCMP units from across western Manitoba are on scene to assist along with other first responders.
RCMP Major Crime Services are en route and will be taking carriage of the investigation.
The RCMP will be holding a press conference at 4:30 pm, at D Division Headquarters to provide additional details. Representatives from the RCMP, Shared Health and the Province will be in attendance.
UPDATE #1:
STARS Air Ambulance has sent helicopters from both Regina and Winnipeg to the scene. Multiple media outlets are reporting that the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg is in 'Code Orange', which means the facility is preparing for a 'mass-casualty event'. Multiple reports have come in from people in the area that there have been multiple fatalities, but this has not yet been confirmed.
PortageOnline has learned, in addition to some people being taken to Winnipeg, Brandon Fire and Emergency Services have responded and some patients are being transported to Brandon Regional Health Centre. A witness to the event said they saw "many" police vehicles and multiple ambulances at the scene. It's believed the crash between the semi-truck and a Handi-Transit vehicle happened just after 12 p.m.
Shared Health has released a statement confirming a 'mass casualty response is underway'.
RCMP will be providing a media availability later this afternoon and will issue an advisory soon.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Both eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 1 at Highway 5 were closed Thursday afternoon after a motor vehicle collision involving a semi-truck north of Carberry.
Emergency services were on scene with STARS Air Ambulance being called in, as well. There are no confirmed reports in regards to injuries or how many people were involved in the crash.
We will provide more information as it becomes available.
