RCMP have begun interviewing injured survivors of Manitoba bus crash that killed seniors
RCMP officers have begun interviewing the injured survivors of the fiery bus crash that killed 15 in Manitoba last Thursday in an important step in the investigation after a bus of mostly seniors collided with a semi truck while en route to the casino.
In the first update after investigators worked tirelessly" through the weekend, RCMP Supt. Rob Lasson also told media that the mechanical inspections of both vehicles have begun and autopsies started Monday morning, beginning the process of identifying the remains.
Ten patients remain in hospital. Six of those are women, four are men, with ages ranging from their 60s to their 80s. Five people remain in critical condition, after a sixth was moved to a slightly less intensive level of care, according to Lanette Siragusa, CEO of Shared Health, the co-ordinator of many of the province's health services. In some cases, their ages may be complicating their care, she said.
As the public continues to wait for more details, including an official list of victims, Lasson, the officer in charge of major crime services with Manitoba RCMP, warned that answers as to what exactly happened that day will be slow to come, as officials strive for accuracy. He said it was an unusual investigation in that the primary witnesses were on the bus. Officers have not yet been able to speak to the driver of the bus, who remains in hospital.
Premier Heather Stefanson also took to the podium to express her condolences to the families and say that she'd instructed Manitoba Health to reimburse families for food and hotel costs as they travelled to their relatives' bedsides.
The passengers on the bus were mostly seniors from Dauphin, Man., about two hours from the crash site, and were taking a day trip to a nearby casino.
Alex Boyd is a Calgary-based reporter for the Star. Follow her on Twitter: @alex_n_boyd
What is known is that the truck was travelling east on the Trans-Canada Highway just outside Carberry, when the southbound bus entered the intersection from Highway 5. Police have said that dash cam footage from the truck indicates the truck had the right of way.