Update: One person deceased following a collision on Highway 97 near Lac la Hache

Hundred Mile House, BC Highway Patrol

2024-06-26 13:02 PDT

File # 2024-2050

BC Highway Patrol are continuing to investigate the serious school bus collision on June 21, 2024, near Lac la Hache. Prior to the collision, the school bus was on a class trip and had been travelling southbound on Highway 97, from Likely Highway, before going down a 50-foot embankment near Butler Road and Highway 97. Soon after, a pedestrian on Highway 97, identified as a 67-year-old man from the Cariboo region, was fatally injured by an oncoming vehicle.

Police are asking for any person who lives on or was travelling on Highway 97 between 150 Mile House and Butler Road, between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM on June 21, 2024, to check their dashcam and home or business surveillance for the school bus and contact BC Highway Patrol – 100 Mile House at 250-395-2456 and refer to file 2024-2050.

BC Highway Patrol would like to send their condolences to the family and friends of the pedestrian who lost his life on June 21 and would like to extend thanks to stopped to render assistance to the pedestrian and those on board the school bus, says Sgt. Jason Nash, NCO i/c BCHP Williams Lake. We appreciate your patience as we search for answers and ask for continued compassion for the drivers, passengers, and witnesses who were affected by this tragic incident.

Arrangements will be made to return personal items from the bus to their owners in the coming weeks. BC Highway Patrol, 100 Mile House RCMP, CVSE, Transport Canada, and School District 27 are investigating the complex collision. It is expected that it will take months to determine the cause of the collision.

BC Highway Patrol