A mother from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation expressed concern for her 16-year-old daughter’s recovery following a school bus accident on an icy rural Manitoba road. The incident involved a bus heading from Sapotaweyak to Swan River, resulting in the hospitalization of 14 students and the driver. RCMP indicated that the bus driver may have lost control while attempting to overtake another bus, leading to a rollover near Mafeking on Highway 10.
Emergency responders transported four individuals, including three teens and one adult, with significant but non-life-threatening injuries to Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Additional injured passengers received treatment on-site and were later taken to a local hospital. Christa Copapay, the mother of Kylee, the injured daughter, described the emotional turmoil upon learning of the accident and rushed to ensure her daughter’s safety.
Kylee sustained two broken vertebrae during the crash and exhibited signs of pain and dizziness. Copapay, relieved that her daughter was safe, emphasized the need for improved safety measures on school buses to protect students during their daily commute. The community gathered in support of the affected families, with plans for Kylee’s recovery and a cautious approach to future bus travel.
The accident raised questions about the lack of seatbelts on school buses, prompting calls for enhanced safety regulations. Witnesses, including a teacher from Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation, highlighted the absence of seatbelts on buses and advocated for their implementation to prevent similar incidents. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew acknowledged the severity of the accident and expressed openness to discussions regarding mandatory seatbelt usage on school buses, emphasizing the importance of a thorough investigation before proposing solutions.