A late-night journey turned into a tragedy this past weekend when a charter bus carrying 37 passengers lost control on a slick stretch of highway in northern Alberta. The incident resulted in one fatality and left six people fighting for their lives.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Incident Overview
The crash occurred late Saturday night, February 7, on Highway 43, roughly 60 kilometers east of Grande Prairie. The bus—transporting members of the Grande Prairie Pathfinder Club—was returning home from a trip when the driver lost control while attempting a lane change.
- The Impact: The bus struck the median and rolled over completely before landing back on its wheels.
- The Casualties: Lillian Banda, a 50-year-old beloved community leader, was tragically killed at the scene.
- The Injured: Beyond the six in serious condition, 16 others were treated for minor injuries, while the remaining passengers escaped physical harm.
Contributing Factors
RCMP investigators have pointed to severe icy road conditions as the primary cause of the accident. Witnesses described the scene as pitch black and freezing, noting that many passengers were ejected from the vehicle during the roll.
“In the face of chaos, the survivors showed incredible bravery. One of the youth managed to find a phone to alert emergency services despite the trauma of the moment.” — Community Statement
Community Response
- Survivor Care: Uninjured passengers were initially sheltered at the Debolt firehall.
- Ongoing Support: The church is currently providing grief counseling for the Pathfinder Club members and the bus driver, who is reportedly devastated by the event.
