5:58 p.m.
Sgt. Kathleen Thain tells PrinceGeorgeMatters a 15-passanger van with girls between 16 and 17 years old veered to avoid an obstruction, which caused the driver to over correct and the van went into the ditch.
A total of four people were taken to hospital in Kamloops with non-life threatening injuries, she says. A chaperone went with those injured while the driver of the van stayed with the remaining passengers and coach.
The team coach was travelling in a separate vehicle and took charge of the remaining students.
The coach has been in contact with the school district and is making arrangements for players to be reunited with their families.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Ashcroft RCMP is asking anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them at 250-453-2216.
4:37 p.m.
College Heights Secondary School Principal Randy Halpape has released a letter to College Heights Secondary School community members.
"Today, a van carrying our girls' volleyball team was involved in a vehicle accident while travelling to Powell River," the letter reads. "There were no fatalities; however, several students are being treated in Kamloops hospital. School District 57 (Prince George) will continue to support the College Heights Secondary School community as needed."
2:40 p.m.
Minor injuries have been reported after a bus carrying the College Heights girls volleyball team crashed into a ditch this afternoon (Nov. 27).
Cpl. Mike Halskov tells PrinceGeorgeMatters at roughly 12:15 p.m. this afternoon, a bus went into the ditch in the 2600 block of Highway 97 near Cache Creek.
Two adults and 10 kids were onboard at the time of the accident. He adds there were injuries, but all were non-life threatening.
One passenger was airlifted to hospital, which prompted the highway to be temporarily closed. Halskov stressed that the injury is not believed to be life-threatening.
School District 57 has confirmed five students are being treated in Kamloops hospital. The team was on their way to the provincial championships in Powell River.
"Our thoughts are with those involved, their families and their friends," School District 57 superintendent Marilyn Marquis-Forster tells PrinceGeorgeMatters in an email. "School District No. 57 (Prince George) will continue to support College Heights Secondary School Community as is needed."
At 12:04 PM BCEHS #paramedics were called to a school bus crash near Cache Creek. 12 patients are being cared for & triaged. Early indications are that all patients are in stable, non-life-threatening condition. Any updates will be reported here. @Interior_Health #Cachecreek
— Emerg Health Services (@BC_EHS) November 27, 2018
We will have more information as it becomes available.
