11 taken to hospital after school bus crashes into Burnaby house: EHS
Posted November 9, 2023 8:47 am.
Last Updated November 9, 2023 9:58 pm.
A school bus carrying high school students crashed into a home in Burnaby Thursday morning, with paramedics saying 11 people were taken to the hospital.
The Burnaby RCMP says it happened just before 8 a.m. in the area of Canada Way and 16th Avenue.
According to Mounties, the bus collided with a vehicle, which then sent the bus crashing into a house in the area.
It’s unclear what caused the initial crash.
In an email to CityNews, BC Emergency Health Services says “six ambulances, a supervisor and a link and referral unit responded,” adding first responders “cared for and transported 11 patients to hospital in stable condition.”
The extent of the injuries sustained are not clear, though the RCMP has said no one was badly hurt.
Renters happy to be alive
Adrian Striga says he was fortunately at work when the bus came crashing through the wall to his unit and into where his bed usually sits.
“My bedroom is full with glass and shrapnel, my TV got thrown across the unit. All my stuff is destroyed,” he told CityNews.
“I’m super lucky. If I was there, I would have been probably be dead. I literally lay my head right where the bus lights are, basically.”
Striga says he’s waiting to hear back from his landlord, investigators, and insurance to find out if he’ll be able to get back into his home. While he says he doesn’t know where he’ll go, the man admits “it could be worse,” adding, “I’m alive.”
Amanda Telek says she lives upstairs in the home and was with her two kids getting ready to leave when the bus came crashing in.
“Luckily, they took their time coming downstairs. Definitely would’ve got hit if they did, the kids. Because we always stand here, the kids always stand there and wait for me when we’re leaving because the car is locked.”
Residents say the bus also hit a gas line.
“Gas will be off for a week. So that’ll be everybody’s stoves will be off, heat will be off, no showering … I don’t know what we’re going to do now,” Telek explained.
The side of the bus reads “Khalsa School” – which is a private school in Surrey. CityNews reached out to the school for comment but did not hear back before the broadcast deadline. RCMP however did confirm the students were on their way to a high school in Surrey.
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With files from Kate Walker
