6 injured in school bus rollover near Didsbury, Alta.
Students from George McDougall High School in Airdrie were on a field trip
A school bus carrying 12 people rolled over on Highway 2A just north of Didsbury, Alta., on Monday, according to police.
The bus was transporting nine students and two teachers from George McDougall High School in Airdrie on a field trip when the crash occurred.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) said six patients — five youth and one adult — were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. There were no fatalities.
RCMP said an officer came across a school bus rollover at around 10:20 a.m. Monday on Highway 2A at Township Road 320, just north of the central Alberta town.
A statement from Rocky View Schools, the division that runs George McDougall, said the students and teachers were on their way to a field trip in Olds, Alta., when the accident occurred.
AHS confirmed that EMS paramedics responded to the incident shortly before 10:30 a.m.
The portion of Highway 2A between Township Road 320 and 314 was closed due to the incident for several hours.
Shortly before 4 p.m., RCMP said the road had reopened.
Road conditions are believed to be a factor in the collision, but the incident is still being investigated, according to police. The temperature had dipped below freezing at the nearby Olds-Didsbury Airport.
"The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our first priority," Rocky View Schools said in a statement.
"We are thankful to first responders for their care and to our staff and the bus driver who supported our students during this unfortunate accident."
A spokesperson with First Student, a transportation company, confirmed that one of its buses was involved.
The company said it is conducting an independent review of the incident while collaborating with the RCMP in the police investigation.
Didsbury is about 60 kilometres north of Calgary.
With files from Colleen Underwood