A deadly school bus accident near Rimbey on April 9 resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jennifer Dawn Noble, a Grade 12 student at Rimbey Junior/Senior High School.
Another student was also seriously injured and is still in critical condition.
The accident occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m. on Hwy 53, three kilometers east of Hwy 20 near Rimbey.
Early investigation showed that the bus was traveling westbound and was stopped picking up children with a SUV stopped behind the bus. A gravel truck, which was also traveling westbound, struck the SUV and the bus from behind.
The investigation is currently ongoing and the RCMP are looking at all aspects of the collision including: weather, road conditions, the state of the drivers and mechanical evaluations of the vehicles. The RCMP Criminal Collision Investigation team will conduct the investigation and there will be no decision on possible charges until the cause of the collision is determined.
Ponoka reaction
The accident has been felt here in Ponoka as well. Donna, the mother of the young girl killed, works at the Ponoka Fire Department.
Both high schools in Ponoka have also taken precautions to help students in this difficult time.
St.Augustine’s principal Kevin Prediger mentioned the family in the school’s morning prayers on April 10 and said that counselors were made available for students if they were needed.
Ponoka Composite principal Ian Rawlinson said that the school is supporting the Rimbey staff in whatever way they can. On Thursday they sent the staff lunch and they went to Rimbey to help cover the staff as they attended the memorial service on April 15. Counselors from PCHS went to Rimbey to help the students with dealing with the situation and counselors were also made available to staff and students at PCHS.