MAPLETON – An Elora man is dead following a crash here involving a partially full school bus and an SUV.
Emergency crews responded to the scene – at the intersection of 14th Line and Sideroad 21, east of Alma – on April 13 at about 3:30pm.
“Initial reports indicated that a school bus carrying 12 students and [an SUV] had collided and the driver of the SUV was seriously injured,” states a press release from the Wellington County OPP.
Police say the lone occupant of the SUV was pronounced dead at scene and no one on the school bus was seriously injured.
The OPP later identified the deceased SUV driver as Robert D. Bachuk, 48, of Elora.
“The gravity of collision will likely sit heavy with all involved,” OPP spokesperson Josh Cunningham told the Advertiser.
“All responding individuals, including the OPP officers, Guelph-Wellington Paramedics, Centre Wellington firefighters and transportation services officials, made a conscious effort to minimize further trauma to the children while they were removed from the scene.”
Cunningham explained the OPP immediately involved its IMPACT (Integrated Mobile Police And Crisis Team) personnel “and two clinicians were on scene within 30 minutes to assist.
“They then initiated further supports through CMHA and the school board for the students.”
The Office of the Chief Coroner was notified and police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call 1-888-310-1122.
