The death of a young Quebec student in a bus accident in British Columbia is a tragic event: she had just changed places with a friend and was the only injured among the twenty passengers.
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Due to the pandemic, Jasmine Beausoleil had waited three years before finally being able to participate in Explore, a five-week pan-Canadian English immersion program. His great friend, Élisabeth Goulet, and they had been planning their trip for months and absolutely wanted to be sent to British Columbia to see its landscapes, its seaside and its mountains.
The duo set foot in Nelson, a town of 10,000 souls located halfway between Vancouver and Calgary, just over a week ago.
Last Thursday, the group of 16 Quebec students boarded a public transport bus to return to their residence at the end of classes.
Photo courtesy, Chantal Bédard
The young Jasmine Beausoleil, 19, intended to go into the health field at university.
Tired
“I sat on the edge of the window, but Jasmine asked me to chat with her because she wanted to lean down and sleep,” says Élisabeth Goulet, who is studying nursing. The friends, seated side by side, shared headphones in order to relax to the sound of the music of the Californian rock group The Neighbourhood. Jasmine fell asleep soon after.
While the bus was traveling on Highway 3A, a collision occurred with a Purolator truck. The rear-view mirror of this one smashed the window on which Jasmine had rested her head.
Photo courtesy, Elisabeth Goulet
Jasmine was sitting by the window just in front of the gray plastic wall on the right.
“I heard a big boom, then I curled up on myself, says Élisabeth Goulet. Then I felt something hot running down my arm and down my back. Turning around, I realized it was Jasmine’s blood. »
She suffered a serious head injury. With impressive composure, his girlfriend tried to save his life and keep his pulse going until paramedics arrived.
“I got into the ambulance and when I got to the hospital, they rushed her to the operating theatre. I sat in the waiting room with little hope,” she recalls.
No other passengers on the bus were injured.
Photo courtesy, Elisabeth Goulet
Elisabeth Goulet did everything to save the life of her friend Jasmine, while waiting for help to arrive.
dreaded call
Meanwhile, more than 4000 km away, the phone of a mother in the Val-Bélair sector, in Quebec, rang. It was the worst call of his life. The one that makes no sense. The one who goes against the natural cycle of life, explains Chantal Bédard, in tears.
“They told us to take the first flight, that they were keeping her alive artificially,” she breathes, her voice muffled by sobs.
Despite her young age, Jasmine Beausoleil had already mentioned to her mother that if she died, she wanted to donate her organs.
His family has thus honored his wishes: his pancreas, liver and cornea have been recovered and may be able to save lives.
coroner’s inquest
A student in human sciences at Cégep Garneau de Québec, Jasmine Beausoleil had a great interest in the field of health.
She was toying with the idea of continuing her studies in nutrition or psychology at university.
The one who excelled at school had also practiced gymnastics for many years. During her studies, she worked as a hostess in a restaurant in Quebec.
Chantal Bédard is still in British Columbia. She is waiting for the coroner’s examination before she can have Jasmine cremated, and then return with her to Quebec.
“I’m not leaving here without my daughter,” says Ms.me Bedard. She’s my only daughter, I have no other children, I lost the center of my life. »