All patients still hospitalized following a fatal Christmas Eve bus accident in British Columbia are expected to survive, according to a regional health authority official.
Seven people who were taken to three hospitals after the bus crashed on Highway 97C on Saturday night remain hospitalized, up from eight on Sunday, Interior Health spokeswoman Michaela Swan said.
Two patients were listed in serious condition on Sunday, but Mme Swan said their condition has since improved.
Four people died and dozens more were injured in the accident east of Merritt near the exit to Loon Lake. According to police, it was caused by extremely icy road conditions.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has not released the names of those who died.
Mme Swan doesn’t have figures on how many health care workers have been called in, but she pointed out that many have come in without being asked.
Interior Health implemented a Code Orange – signaling a disaster or mass casualty event – within hours of the accident.
Police said the road conditions were described “as very poor with ice and snow on the road surface as well as falling rain and hail”.
Investigators have asked anyone who witnessed the collision or had an onboard bus camera prior to the accident to please contact their local RCMP detachment.