Special Olympians' deadly bus crash

Photo: Contributed - RADIO NL

The bus involved in the crash

One person is dead and five others suffered minor injuries in a collision Friday between a car and a charter bus carrying Special Olympians near Cache Creek.

RCMP Cpl. J.R. Micheud said the damage to the car was so extensive it could prove difficult to identify the driver.

"Because of the fire, we don't know what kind of vehicle, we don't have a plate number or anything," he said. "Everything is burned off.

The athletes were on their way to a competition in Kelowna in the mid-afternoon, when police say a car travelling in the wrong lane hit the bus head on and burst into flames.

BC Ambulance spokeswoman Kelsie Carwithen said five people suffered minor injuries and were being taken to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

Coach Calvin Dyck said it was a horrible experience for his athletes.

"The bus is a write off," he said. "We just couldn't help the person get out because it burst into flame prior to us getting there."

The crash forced the closure of the highway. 

For more info go to Radio NL.