The Houston RCMP continue their investigation of a multi vehicle collision on Hwy. 16, which involved a local school bus and privately owned vehicle. The driver and passengers of the school bus were uninjured as result of the crash.
On Thursday afternoon Jan. 24, 2013 at around 4:00 p.m., the Houston RCMP received a report of a head-on crash occurring on Hwy 16 near the Alix Frontage Rd., 2 km West of Houston BC. On police, fire and ambulance attendance to the scene, the 18 kids and school bus driver were being off loaded from school bus. As a result of the collision the bus had gone off the road and ended up on its side.
After fire, rescue and ambulance staff arrived on the scene, the students were transported to Houston to be picked up by awaiting and concerned parents. The driver of the blue pickup was transported to Smithers hospital by EHS for treatment of minor but non-life threatening injuries.
RCMP investigators have determined that alcohol or drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash and are attributing the collision to the pick-up truck driver鈥檚 inattention to traffic conditions. The bus was eastbound en route to Houston at the time of the crash. Witness accounts and scene examination indicate that the westbound pick-up truck crossed into the eastbound lane to avoid a collision with two other eastbound vehicles that were stopped and preparing to turn left off of the highway. There was light snow falling at the time but little accumulation on the highway. One of the two vehicles stopped on the highway avoided the collision by driving off to the side at which time the pick truck glanced back over into first stopped vehicle after hitting the bus.
Investigators are contemplating possible motor vehicle charges against the driver of the pick-up truck.
