'My heart is broken': What we know about deadly Manitoba Highway 1 mass casualty crash

At least 15 people are dead and a further 10 have been brought to hospital with injuries following a deadly collision on Highway 1 in Manitoba Thursday morning, said Manitoba RCMP Commanding Officer Rob Hill during a press briefing.

"Sadly this is a day in Manitoba and across Canada that will be remembered as one of tragedy and incredible sadness," said Hill.

The accident is said to be one of the most lethal traffic accidents in Canada's history, and officials are still exploring any potential criminal activity or wrongdoing that led to the accident.

What we know about the accident

According to police, a bus carrying 25 people — most from the Dauphin area— collided with a semi-truck at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 5.

A majority of the individuals aboard the bus were senior citizens, who were on route to a casino for a day trip.

"At least 15 people have been confirmed deceased as a result of this collision," said Hill.

Provincial health officials say 10 people with ages ranging from early 60s to late 80s are still being treated in Winnipeg and Brandon hospitals for serious injuries.

Of the 10 patients initially rushed to hospital, six remain in a critical care unit at the Health Sciences Centre while the other four are receiving treatment for serious injuries in a surgical care unit, Dr. Shawn Young, the chief operating officer of Health Sciences Centre said during the Friday briefing.

"A number have received operations and more operations are planned, but these injuries are quite significant," said Young.

"We can now confirm that there have been no new deaths recorded since we last updated the media yesterday afternoon," said Lanette Siragusa, chief executive officer with the provincial health agency Shared Health during a noon press breifing on Friday.

Comparisons to deadly 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash

As the details continue to emerge out of Manitoba, comparisons are already being made to the deadly 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash in which a semi-truck collided with a bus carrying a junior hockey team killing 16.

"This incident does have echoes to the collision that happened at Humboldt, Sask. and we are very much aware of that," said RCMP Superintendent Rob Lawson during the afternoon press briefing.

Lawson said they have already linked in the investigators in Saskatchewan who worked on the Humboldt crash as they have first-hand experience.

"We need to be alive to the fact that there could be wrongdoing, and if so, there could be a criminal element to this investigation," said Lawson.

Response and aftermath

The response to the crash included 14 critical care medical crew, the STARS Winnipeg and STARS Regina air ambulance services, as well as several aircraft with medical teams being flown in.

Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre has also declared a Code Orange, warning staff of an external influx of patients due to a disaster situation.

"We will continue to work non-stop to bring you further information about your loved ones," said Hill.

Manitoba RCMP say that Major Crimes Services have been deployed and that an investigative structure has been implemented.

In addition, forensic collision reconstruction experts will be working the scene to provide a comprehensive report to understand the cause of the tragedy.

"We need to make sure this investigation is done properly and effectively, and that we have proper resources in place to do this," said Lawson.

A moment of silence for the crash victims was observed at the end of question period at the House of Commons in Ottawa on Friday.

Social media reacts

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson was quick to offer her condolences to families of the victims in a brief Twitter statement.

The Humboldt Broncos, who during 2018 also experienced a horrific tragedy involving a bus and a semi-trailer

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement reading "I’m sending my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones today, and I’m keeping the injured in my thoughts."

Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre also issued a statement over Twitter saying that "my heart is broken to hear of the victims in the horrific crash near Carberry, Manitoba earlier today."

Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris Larry Maguire urged Canadians to come together "in love and support for everyone impacted."

"Thank you to the first responders for their swift response and assistance during this unthinkable time," reads a Twitter post from Francesco Sorbara, MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge.

Many social media users are responding in horror to the images that are being shared from the scene.

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