Three Manitoba high school students were airlifted to Winnipeg after their school bus slid off the highway and rolled multiple times, causing injuries. Drayah Maytwayashing, a 17-year-old student, was asleep when the bus skidded in icy conditions on Highway 10 near Mafeking. She described waking up to chaos, finding herself injured and disoriented on the bus.
Maytwayashing, along with her brother Drayden Genaille and cousin Michelle Chartrand from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, were among 15 people on the bus. Maytwayashing suffered a gash on her forehead and two small pelvic fractures. Genaille was discharged the same night, while Maytwayashing and Chartrand were released the following day.
Four individuals sustained significant but non-life-threatening injuries in the incident, according to RCMP. Additional students were treated for injuries at the scene and later taken to Swan Valley Health Centre. One patient remains in stable condition at the health center.
Genaille and Chartrand, who were looking forward to spending time with friends at school, recounted being thrown from the bus during the rollover. Chartrand mentioned losing consciousness as the bus rolled, only to find herself outside the vehicle afterward.
Maytwayashing’s grandmother, Tracey Campeau, expressed relief that the students survived the crash and emphasized the need for seatbelts on school buses. Campeau is grateful for their recovery and hopes they will overcome the trauma to continue their education.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with no word yet on potential charges. RCMP officers are conducting interviews with involved parties and witnesses, aided by a traffic reconstructionist to determine if charges are warranted. A Crown opinion will be sought in due course.