8 Canadians injured in bus accident

BONNERS FERRY — Eight people were injured when a bus full of Canadian tourists crashed Monday morning 10 miles south of Bonners Ferry.

The Traxx Canadian coachline was northbound on Highway 95 en route back to Edmonton, Canada, when it went off the left side roadway, launching off into the deep embankment, landing on its left side and coming to rest on several trees, according to Idaho State Police .

“A witness driving  behind the bus said that the bus left the roadway before Shiloh Loop, and it appeared the driver dozed,” said Idaho State Police Trooper Kevin Bennett. “There will be a U/A test to rule out anything else.”

The driver of the bus, Gang Wang, 41, was uninjured, but eight of the 53 passengers were hurt. Two people were taken to Boundary Community Hospital, where they were treated and released.

The accident, which happened just yards from the Naples bridge, blocked both lanes of Highway 95 at both ends of Deep Creek Loop for more than six hours.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene after getting 911 phone calls from passengers inside the bus at 7:30 a.m.

Some said they were abruptly awakened by screams as they were flying off the side of the road.

Bennett said an off-duty Bonners Ferry officer John Lunde arrived just minutes after the bus went into the gully. The only thing stopping the bus from going all the way down into the gully was several trees that held it in place.

All the passengers climbed out of windows and walked up the hill to Shiloh Loop Road.

A Boundary County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said a few more yards and the accident could have been a huge tragedy.

Passengers said the accident happened quickly.

“It happened very fast and I am still a little shaken up,” said passenger Michelle Anderson just minutes after the crash. “I am just happy everyone is OK.”

“Two men were very active in getting the windows open and leading us out and the police were already there, we couldn’t believe how fast they responded,” added fellow passenger Lisa Stevens. “One of the men on board was a firemen and in this crisis knew how to take control.”

Several passengers said they were abruptly woken up when the bus first started leaving the road. Otis Garnette, also of Edmonton, said the tour bus left Portland Ore., at 5 p.m. and had been on the road since.

“I was asleep and suddenly the bus was rocking back and forth and I heard people start screaming,” said passenger Karen Adams. “A screaming girl flew over me and we all were thrown around until the bus landed to rest on the trees, it was terrifying.”

EMTs on scene said they saw a only minor injury, the worse being a man who was stung by a bee during the commotion.

The passengers were transported by two Boundary County School District buses to Boundary County Middle School, where they were given water, food and blankets. 

The passengers had to wait more than eight hours for the bus to be pulled out of the gully so their belongings and passports could be returned before traveling back into Canada.

“They have given us everything and more, and such hospitality,” said passenger Jason Panas. “The  people of Bonners Ferry really have taken good care of us.”

Wang was cited on a charge of inattentive driving. An investigation into the accident continues.