
UPDATE 3:30 p.m.
The president and COO of Ebus has issued a brief statement concerning Saturday's tragic crash that claimed four lives.
"I would like to extend our deepest condolences to families and loved ones so heavily impacted by this
tragic event last night," said Tom Jezersek in a statement emailed to Castanet News.
"Our thoughts and sympathy are with those injured and grieving at this time.
"We will continue cooperating with RCMP in their investigation and communicate information when
able.
"Thank you to the first responders, health care workers and everyone providing support."
Officials with the company confirm their fleet has been grounded today due to conditions.
UPDATE 3:10 p.m.
RCMP say they are in the process of speaking with survivors on Saturday's tragic bus crash on Highway 97C near the Loon Lake exit east of Merritt.
Police say due to circumstances of the crash and the injuries involved, passengers on board the bus had been transported to hospital before police arrived on the scene .
They also confirm the driver of the Ebus is co-operating with the investigation.
Police are now saying the westbound bus apparently crossed the centre line to the left and flipped, coming to rest on the passenger side in the eastbound lanes.
Four people were killed in the collision.
Their names have not been released while authorities notify next of kin.
RCMP are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage of the incident to contact your local detachment.
ORIGINAL 12:25 p.m.
Saturday's crash involving an Ebus on the Okanagan Connector has claimed the lives of four people.
RCMP confirmed the fatalities in a brief news release Sunday afternoon.
The passenger bus, heading to Vancouver from Kelowna, crashed shortly after 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve near the Loon Lake exit just east of Merritt.
While an investigation is ongoing, police say extremely icy road conditions is believed to have been the cause of the rollover.
Interior Health indicated 53 people had been taken to hospitals in Kelowna, Penticton and Merritt Saturday.
In a statement Sunday they downgraded that number to 52, saying of those, 36 patients were assessed and treated for injuries ranging from minor to serious.
As of Sunday morning, eight patients remained in the care of hospitals in Kelowna, Penticton and Kamloops. Of those, two are in serious condition while two others have non-life threatening injuries.
"Although the number of patients remaining in hospital is low, this is a life-altering incident for all involved, from the initial physical injuries to the emotional and spiritual impacts of an incident such as this," officials said in a statement.
"Our thoughts are with the families and patients, as well as the many first responders at the scene, who were impacted by this tragic incident.
"Our deep gratitude to the many Interior Health staff and physicians already working or who came in to the hospitals to help care for the high number of patients who needed immediate care."
A central phone line (250-545-2211) has been set up for families needing information as to the location of loved ones.
This was the second crash on the same stretch of highway involving an Ebus in four days.
An Ebus crashed into a semi on Tuesday. No serious injuries were reported as a result of that incident.