On March 10, 2009 at 8:05 a.m., RCMP St. Pierre Detachment were dispatched to a collision involving a school bus heading to Lorette and a passenger car at the junction of Highway 1 and Provincial Road 207.
RCMP St. Pierre, Steinbach, Oakbank Detachment were on scene assisted by EMS and Fire.
The school bus had 3 children on board at the time of the collision. Early reports indicate that injuries sustained by the children do not appear life threatening in nature, while the extent or seriousness of the injuries sustained by the driver and the two passengers of the vehicle are not yet known. The children have all been taken to hospital for treatment.
Update 03/10/09 3:10pm
RCMP St. Pierre Detachment have been able to establish that the school bus driver, a 44-year-old woman from Lorette, was traveling north on Provincial Road 207 and crossing Highway 1, when the bus carrying three children was struck by the eastbound Hyundai Elantra.
The three children, who are between the ages of 9 and 13-years-old, were taken to St. Anne’s Hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Hyundai, a 26-year-old man from Winnipeg, as well as the two adult passengers (also from Winnipeg) were transported to St. Anne’s Hospital. Both the driver and the rear passenger have since been released. The front seat female passenger was transferred to the Health Sciences Centre for further treatment. Her injuries are not considered life threatening. The bus driver was not injured.
Alcohol and visibility have been ruled out as contributing factors in this collision.
One eastbound lane on Highway 1 was closed for approximately 4 hours.
The investigation continues. No charges have been laid at this point.
Updated 03/17/09 10:05am
On March 13, 2009, the 44-year-old school bus driver identified as Nicole Marie Angele Wilgosh from Lorette was charged under section 131(4) of the Highway Traffic Act for proceeding across Highway 1 before it was safe to do so.
Contact:
Sgt. Line Karpish
RCMP Media Relations
(204)983-8497
