Students from Haldane Elementary and Chase Secondary School were treated in hospitals in Salmon Arm and Kamloops after a van hit a school bus head-on at 3:17 p.m. Monday.
The incident took place on VLA Road in Chase, with initial reports indicating a Plymouth Voyager van slid into the oncoming westbound lane at a blind corner in the road, where it was struck by the bus.
A total of 37 children were on the bus and a half-dozen bus occupants sustained non-life threatening injuries, mostly minor in nature. The van contained three youth occupants, who were transported to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops for moderate injuries.
The driver of the van did not hold a valid B.C. driver's licence, reports Cst. Carl Kennedy of the Chase detachment.
In addition to police and ambulance, the Chase Fire department also responded, providing assistance to those in needs.
Many of students had cellphones and texted or called parents from the accident scene. Students were either released to their parents on scene or were transported to Chase Secondary School, where victim assistance was provided.
The Chase RCMP are continuing to investigate.