As the last week of classes begins for many kids in B.C., students in 100 Mile House went to school Monday morning after a weekend of reflection following a fatal school bus crash north of Lac La Hache.
The local school district has since brought in additional support for staff and students still reeling from the incident, which left 36 people injured.
A school bus carrying 40 100 Mile House students in grades 6 and 7 from 100 Mile Elementary and Horse Lake Elementary went off the road and down an embankment after travelling on Highway 97 north of 100 Mile House, about 126 kilometres northwest of Kamloops, B.C.
While one student and the bus driver had to be extricated by first responders, most of the 40 students and teachers were able to get out on their own, according to local fire Chief Roger Hollander.
The cause of the bus crash was still being investigated as of Saturday. CBC contacted the RCMP for an update but did not hear back in time for publication.
The bus accident was followed by a second incident, in which a person was struck by a vehicle at the same location, according to police. Despite the life-saving efforts of first responders, the person died.
WATCH | School bus crash near Lac La Hache, B.C.
A school bus carrying Grade 6 and 7 students from two different elementary schools crashed north of Lac La Hache on Highway 97 on Friday afternoon. The highway is shut down in both directions. CBC’s Janella Hamilton reports on the details.
‘Laughing and being reunited’
Cariboo-Chilcotin school district superintendent Chris van der Mark said he saw some of the kids who were in the crash on Sunday.
“They were laughing and being reunited,” he told CBC’s Daybreak Kamloops host Shelley Joyce. “Some kids had, you know, arms in a sling or various bits like that.”
He said the bus driver, who is a staff member with the school district, is in hospital and is “doing well.”
“We have heard [they] should be coming home soon,” he said.
Some children suffered broken bones and possible concussions as a result of the crash.
In some cases, there will be an emotional or mental component, van der Mark said.
“These types of events impact people differently and at different times.”
However, van der Mark noted that other schools may be struggling — for example, siblings of the kids aboard the bus may go to other schools, he said.
“It has broader impacts than people might think beyond the two schools and the two classes,” he said.
However, he said he hopes the last week of classes will be “fun” and “exciting” as kids head into summer.
“I think there’s a lot of relief.”
LISTEN | Support available for kids, students impacted by bus crash:
Daybreak Kamloops9:21Support services in place at 100 Mile House schools after bus crash
District superintendent Chris van der Mark says schools in 100 Mile House are offering support for students and staff following a bus crash last week that left almost 40 people injured, most of them Grade 6 and 7 students from 100 Mile Elementary and Horse Lake Elementary.