BC Transit HandyDART involved in t-bone crash on KLO Road

Photo: Miriam Halpenny

UPDATE: 7:48 p.m.

Following the accident in Kelowna involving a BC Transit handyDART bus and a U-Haul van, BC Transit says they will be conducting an internal investigation.

"We are supporting the ongoing RCMP investigation...Our top priority is safety, and BC Transit will also be undertaking an internal investigation," reads a statement from the transit company.

UPDATE 7:05 p.m.

A motorist tells Castanet the U-Haul van that crashed into a BC Transit HandyDART bus on KLO Road had been driving erratically immediately beforehand. 

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she and her husband were driving ahead of the van while travelling down both Springfield and Benvoulin Roads. 

During that time, the van was struggling to stay in its lane, swerving both into the bicycle and left-turn lanes. 

“Then on KLO, we were in the right-hand lane and it sped up, passed us, and that’s right when the bus was coming out and it hit it,” the witness said.

She noted the U-Haul van wasn’t in its own lane when it hit the bus, but rather in the centre alternating turn lane. The Handydart was turning out of the Osprey Landing condos.

The witness said the HandyDART was very visible, as they had slowed down for the van as the U-Haul sped past them, crashing into the driver-side door area of the BC Transit bus.

After pulling over to call 911, the witness said she heard the driver of the U-Haul say they never saw the HandyDART bus.

Castanet observed the driver of the Handydart sitting on the curb after the crash, shaken up, and being comforted by another BC Transit driver. Other witnesses said the driver of the U-Haul was taken away on a stretcher. The lone passenger on the bus, a male senior, was unconscious when he was rushed to hospital. 

RCMP have not commented yet.

UPDATE 6:05 p.m.

Bystanders tell Castanet there was just one passenger on the HandyDART bus, a male senior.

He was unconscious when he was taken to hospital. 

The witnesses say the driver of the BC Transit bus walked away from the crash while the driver of the U-Haul was taken away on a stretcher. 

RCMP at the scene are not commenting. KLO Road will remain closed for a significant period of time, with police officers currently putting up crime scene tape.

ORIGINAL 5:45 p.m.

KLO Road in Kelowna has been closed near St. Amand Road due to a major crash.

A U-Haul van and BC Transit bus have been involved in a T-bone collision.

No word yet on the extent of any injuries. The crash occurred at roughly 5:15 p.m.

More to come...

Photo: Miriam Halpenny