The driver of a semi-trailer truck was killed Saturday afternoon in a collision with a passenger bus on Highway 16 near McBride.
The scene between the Goat River Bridge and Goat River East Pit Road, about 175 km east of Prince George was closed at the scene for several hours as investigators piece together how the accident happened and highway crews work to clear the wreckage.
While the investigation remains in the very early states, preliminary indications are that the semi was travelling eastbound and lost control, striking the bus which was travelling westbound,
said Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet of the BC RCMP.
The vehicles burst into flames upon impact.
The driver of the truck, later identified as a 71-year-old man from Abbotsford, was found dead at the scene.Shoihet said she understands the bus was carrying adults only and was travelling from Edmonton to a destination north of Prince George.
Nine of the passengers plus the driver, were transported with injuries ranging from minor to serious to University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George by ambulance, while three additional passengers were taken to hospital in McBride by a motorist who was at the accident scene. One of the 13 was airlifted to UHNBC for treatment.
Ambulance was called to the scene at about 1:20 p.m. Saturday.
