RCMP are investigating after a head-on collision between a school bus and a pickup truck on Highway 16 Jan. 24.
The Houston school bus driver and children on board were not injured in the crash, which took place around 4 p.m.. However, the bus had gone off the road and ended up on its side as a result of the accident.
Students were examined by ambulance and rescue workers and taken to their parents.
The driver of the pickup truck was transported to Smithers Hospital and treated for minor 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’s 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 pickup truck glanced back over into the first stopped vehicle after hitting the bus.
Investigators are contemplating possible motor vehicle charges against the driver of the pick-up truck.