An 18-year-old woman is dead after a dramatic school bus crash near Mont-St-Hilaire on Friday afternoon sent dozens to hospital.
The bus was carrying 40 students from College Mont-St-Hilaire, all of whom were between 12 and 17 years old. At 4:45, it was struck by a car at the intersection of Highway 116 and Authier St. The impact knocked the bus onto its side.
“For an unknown reason there was an impact with another vehicle who was (travelling) on this highway,” said Capt. Yannick Parent of the Richelieu Saint-Laurent police.
Forty-seven people were treated on the scene. A total of 39 were then transported to hospital by bus or with their parents. Of the injuries, six were considered serious – those people were transported by ambulance to hospital. According to a spokesperson for emergency responders, the two most seriously injures were the driver and passenger of the car that struck the bus. One succumbed to her injuries a few hours later.
The car hit the bus with so much force, it was thrown on its side.
“It was a very violent impact,” said Parent.
Surete du Quebec officers are assisting local police in the investigation. Highway 116 was closed in both directions.
Neighbours say the scene was chaotic.
“Hundreds of people were trying to come to help their children. They were panicking,” said resident Lynne Perrault.
“They were trying to open the doors with huge pliers to get the people inside the car out,” added Alya Brulotte.
The cause of the crash has not been confirmed but neighbours say people regularly speed on Highway 116.
