While RCMP initially said the three children and two adults who were injured were all in stable condition, the latest information from Alberta Health Services at 10:30 a.m. was that two boys were more seriously injured than previously reported by police. The crash at Diamond Avenue and Golden Spike Road happened around 8:15 a.m Just three children were on the Parkland School Division bus at the time of the crash. All are believed to be between eight and 13 years old. The third student, a girl, was treated at the scene and taken to the hospital by her family. The drivers – a woman in her 60s and a man in his 40s – were taken to hospital in a “serious but stable condition”, the health service said. A nearby business owner and a co-worker were two of the many people who rushed to help. “I saw two children [out of the bus]. There was one laying in the intersection and this one here,” Chris Heyligers told CTV News Edmonton, pointing to a ditch behind her. “There was quite a bit of blood on his face and hands. He was awake, though,” he said, speaking about an hour after the crash. “I’m still shaking. And I actually cried. I was very upset. I’m traumatized because anyone who has children or anyone who has a heart, when you see a child hurt, you feel very helpless.” When CTV News Edmonton arrived on scene, the semi was lying on the side of the road and the school bus appeared to have significant damage on the passenger side. It is not yet known what caused the crash. Const. Sarah Williams said it was too early to tell if road conditions were a factor. A team of collision analysts had been called in to investigate. The area was closed to traffic.
SECTION PROBLEM: COMMUNITY MEMBER
As Heyligers surveyed the wreckage around her, she remembered writing to the City of Spruce Grove several years ago with concerns about the intersection. “I’ve seen a lot—and I mean a lot—accidents. Like, sometimes twice a month. Sometimes it’s just. I’ve seen, you know, some vehicles overturned. A few years ago, there was a minivan that had overturned a couple of times. Yeah, it’s just steady,” he told CTV News Edmonton. She says the city told her five years ago that the intersection was deemed safe. “That’s one of the reasons I’m vibrating,” Heyligers said. “I’m hoping now that the city will take notice and actually do something… You know, in a lot of cases, I’ve seen intersections where there were too many accidents and they finally do something. Like, people have to die first? I don’t know. This is so close to death They escaped death [today]. Thank God.” “I’ve certainly had a collision there myself,” said Const. Williams told CTV News Edmonton. “It’s a high-traffic area. It’s one of our main thoroughfares. And, you know, high-traffic areas – especially at this time of day – will lead to more collisions. We know it’s an issue.” CTV News Edmonton has reached out to the City of Spruce Grove for comment. The Parkland School District dispatched its trauma response team to support the students and families involved, as well as those at the school.
