School District 27 is providing ongoing support for families and students impacted by last Friday's bus crash.
On Friday, June 21 a school bus containing students from Horse Lake Elementary School and 100 Mile Elementary School crashed on Highway 97 north of Lac La Hache while returning from a field trip to Gavin Lake. Several students were airlifted to hospitals from broken limbs and other injuries and while no one on the bus died, tragically a passing motorist who stopped to assist was struck by a vehicle and passed away.
"We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our staff, first responders and passers-by who provided assistance on Friday at the scene of the bus crash," Superintendent Chris van der Mark said. "While we are relieved as a school community to know the injuries sustained by our students and staff were not in the magnitude we feared, we are also aware there is a family who was not fortunate, and for them, we are heartbroken."
Van der Mark said that on Sunday June 23, staff, parents and students from Horse Lake and 100 Mile gathered in 100 Mile House as needed to receive appropriate support. He added that SD27's operations department has also spent the last few days debriefing transportation and facilities personnel.
Additional support was also deployed on Monday to ensure staff and students have the necessary support. Van der Mark commended the members of SD27's team who have been working around the clock since the crash to ensure students, staff and families are cared for. He also thanked the support of the districts partners, including The Ministry of Education and Child Care and Safer Schools for helping them through this "unprecedented situation."
"An incident such as this may affect people in different ways, and at different times, even if one was not directly connected to the incident," van der Mark said. "Please pay attention to your well-being and those around you to ensure you are supported and supporting as needed."
