Loved ones to honor victims on anniversary of tragic Manitoba bus crash

The past year following a tragic bus crash that claimed the lives of 17 seniors on their way to a Manitoba casino has been marked by sorrow, community solidarity, a gradual return to normalcy, and for some, a challenging journey to recovery.

The incident has left many questions unanswered about the circumstances leading to the horrific crash that resulted in the bus catching fire, debris scattered everywhere, and first responders navigating a scene of chaos, death, and injuries.

Dauphin, a small town in western Manitoba with a population of 8,000, where nearly everyone is acquainted with each other, has been deeply affected by the tragedy. Most residents know someone directly impacted by the crash or connected to one of the victims.

On the anniversary of the accident, scheduled for June 15, the community plans to unveil a memorial to honor the lives lost.

Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak expressed, “June 15 will always be etched in the memories of most of our community. It’s a day akin to September 11th where people recall exactly what they were doing on that fateful day.”

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One individual with close ties to the tragedy is Don Stokotelny.

His mother, 86-year-old Josephine Stokotelny, sustained severe injuries in the accident and has been in recovery for the past year. She endured brain damage, relies on a walker for mobility, and now resides in assisted living.

Don also has a connection to the bus driver, whom he had hired previously for group outings and considers a compassionate person.

Reflecting on the situation, Don Stokotelny chose to embrace forgiveness over resentment.

“We had utilized his services to transport my mom and her friends to various events; he cared for them as if they were his own,” Don Stokotelny stated.

The bus carrying 25 passengers had departed from Dauphin en route to a nearby casino near Carberry, a two-hour journey to the south. As it approached a busy section of the Trans-Canada Highway, it encountered a stop sign, followed by a yield sign in the median, before crossing the eastbound lanes and colliding with a semi-trailer.

According to the RCMP, dashcam footage indicated that the truck had the right of way. The collision led to the bus igniting in flames and landing in a ditch.

Josephine Stokotelny was ejected from the bus and rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Don recalled seeing his mother severely injured, struggling to breathe independently.

“She was seriously injured from head to toe, hooked up to 17 different devices—tubes, breathing apparatus, and more. There was a period where her recovery seemed uncertain,” he shared.

Emergency response teams swiftly attended to the scene—ambulances, law enforcement, then a STARS helicopter. Survivors were transported to the hospital in Brandon, with several airlifted to Winnipeg’s primary trauma center. Additional support arrived from Saskatchewan via STARS.

Grant Therrien from STARS, who assisted in treating and transferring patients from Brandon, described the situation as utterly devastating for the team, with trauma visible everywhere.

Subsequent days saw funerals for the victims. Some survivors initially hospitalized succumbed to their injuries later on. The 17th fatality, 79-year-old Catherine Day, passed away a month after the accident.

The bus driver sustained severe injuries, preventing RCMP from obtaining his statement, while health authorities refrained from disclosing details about his condition due to privacy regulations.

Law enforcement delivered a comprehensive report on the incident to Manitoba’s Crown attorney’s office, pending a decision on potential charges.

In Dauphin, the community continues to grapple with the tragedy. For many, family gatherings serve as poignant reminders of a missing loved one.

“While life gradually returned to normal for the community, for the directly impacted families, around 16 or 17 of them, profound changes occurred,” noted Mr. Bosiak.

The upcoming anniversary event is an opportunity for families to offer mutual support and check in on each other’s well-being, as emphasized by Mr. Stokotelny.

“The outpouring of support and condolences from the city and its residents has been incredibly heartwarming,” he added.