CARBERRY, Manitoba – June 15, 2023 – A routine casino trip turned into catastrophe when a bus carrying elderly passengers collided with a semi-truck at a rural intersection near Carberry, about 170 kilometers west of Winnipeg. The crash has left 17 people dead and several others injured, marking the deadliest traffic accident in Manitoba’s history and one of the worst in Canada in decades.

The Collision

The bus, a 24-seat vehicle operated by Quality Care Transit from Dauphin, was heading south on Highway 5 toward Sand Hills Casino when it entered the Trans-Canada Highway around midday. Despite stop and yield signs at the intersection, the bus pulled into the path of an eastbound semi-truck with the right of way. The resulting impact was catastrophic—igniting a fire and sending the bus into a ditch.

Fifteen people were killed instantly. Survivors were rushed by ground and air ambulances to hospitals in Brandon and Winnipeg. Two more later succumbed to their injuries in the weeks that followed, bringing the final death toll to 17.

Victims and Survivors

The passengers were mostly seniors from the Dauphin area who had boarded the bus for what was meant to be a day of leisure and camaraderie. Many of the victims were well-known in their communities, making the tragedy deeply personal for small towns across western Manitoba. Families, friends, and neighbors held vigils filled with candles, prayers, and flowers, uniting in grief and remembrance.

Investigation Findings

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) led a year-long investigation into the crash. Authorities determined that the bus driver’s decision to enter the highway was the critical factor, though not one that met the threshold for criminal charges. Investigators cited possible blind spots in the bus that may have obstructed the driver’s view of the oncoming truck. Toxicology tests showed no signs of impairment, and the driver himself suffered a traumatic brain injury in the collision.

Superintendent Rob Lasson stated, “It happened because of a choice made by the bus driver. However, we cannot prove that choice was the result of anything criminal.”

Government and Community Response

The disaster prompted condolences from across the nation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it a “horrific accident,” offering sympathy and support to victims’ families and survivors. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson also pledged provincial assistance, while flags on Parliament Hill were lowered to half-mast in tribute.

Meanwhile, health and emergency services—including STARS and Saskatchewan air ambulances—played vital roles in rescue and patient care, underscoring the importance of coordinated crisis response.

Road Safety Debate

The crash reignited debate over safety at rural intersections on the Trans-Canada Highway. The provincial government committed $12 million to redesign the junction, initially proposing a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT). However, strong community opposition led to the plan’s withdrawal. Many residents, families of victims, and safety advocates are now calling for an overpass as a long-term solution to prevent future tragedies.

A National Reminder

The Carberry bus crash is the deadliest in Manitoba’s history and the worst road disaster in Canada since the 2018 Humboldt Broncos tragedy in Saskatchewan, which killed 16 when a semi-truck struck the team’s bus. Both incidents highlight the dangers posed by at-grade intersections and the stakes of transporting vulnerable groups.

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At a Glance

• Date & Place: June 15, 2023 – Intersection of Highway 5 and Trans-Canada Highway near Carberry, Manitoba

• Casualties: 17 dead, multiple injured

• Cause: Bus entered highway against yield; semi-truck had right of way

• Legal Outcome: No charges; driver suffered brain injury, no impairment found

• Next Steps: $12M pledged for intersection redesign; calls for overpass grow louder

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This tragedy, etched into Canada’s collective memory, serves as a solemn reminder of how quickly ordinary journeys can end in unimaginable loss. As families grieve and communities heal, officials face mounting pressure to make lasting improvements that ensure such devastation is never repeated.