Cpl. Annie Neilson, an RCMP’s collision reconstructionist, shows a news conference Tuesday, a report into a horrific highway crash in northern New Brunswick in January that killed seven teenage boys and a teacher. The RCMP say a combination of factors led to the crash, including bad weather and the mechanical condition of the 11-year-old vehicle. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mario Landry
Department leery of lifting ban on vans
TERESA WRIGHT The Guardian
Tuesday’s RCMP report on the van collision in Bathurst that killed seven boys and a teacher last January has left P.E.I.’s Education Department wondering if it should ever lift its current suspension on the use of 15-passenger vans.
All school principals were told by the department to stop using the extended vans for extracurricular activities until further notice while a full review on van safety is carried out.
This review came about as a result of a tragic accident in New Brunswick on Jan. 12. Seven members of the Bathurst high school boys basketball team and a teacher died when the 1997 Ford Econoline clubwagon they were travelling in slammed into a transport truck.
Last year, Island schools used the same type of 15-passenger vans for over 500 sport trips and extracurricular activities. But now the province is trying to bring in new vehicles to transport kids back and forth on trips.
Department officials want to bring in a new 24-passenger bus recently approved by the Canadian Standards Association. It’s called a multifunctional activity bus.
The Education Department has issued a tender to see if anyone is interested in buying these mini-buses to rent to the school boards, Gerard Greenan, P.E.I.’s minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, told The Guardian.
This is the final week for interested parties to submit their interest and so far there has been good response, Greenan said.
“We’ve had a few responses to the request — there’s definite interest there.’’
Since the province suspended use of 15-passenger vans in the three P.E.I. school boards, Island parents have been working overtime driving their kids back and forth to sporting or band trips.
School boards have also rented seven-passenger vans and have used full-sized school buses, but this isn’t always the best use of resources, Greenan said.
“It’s not ideal to put nine kids on a full school bus but sometimes that’s what we had to do.’’
He said he just can’t see bringing 15-passenger vans back into use.
“Given what happened, I don’t think the public has a lot of trust in these vans, so I can’t see us bringing them back in.’’
RCMP in New Brunswick say a combination of factors led to a horrific highway crash in northern Bathurst in January, including the mechanical condition of the vehicle.
The 15-passenger van involved in the collision would not have passed a safety inspection, says a police report released Tuesday.
Worn tires, broken brakes and a rusting body were among the findings that raise questions about maintenance of the 1997 Ford Econoline club wagon that skidded on an icy highway near Bathurst and slammed into a transport truck.
Charges could still be laid in the accident.
Tuesday’s report will be used by police as they continue their investigation, which they hope to complete by Sept. 1.
The Guardian is committed to encouraging intelligent discourse among our readers and to creating a forum where diverse views and opinions on a wide range of topics can be aired. The forum you are in now is a result of our continuing efforts to facilitate a dynamic online conversation among our readers.
This is a moderated conversation. Once a reader follows the steps to register and submit his or her comment it goes to a moderator for the website. Once it has been approved, your comment will be displayed on the website. A comment may be edited or deleted for reasons of content or language.
All readers wishing to join a conversation must first sign in and agree to the Terms of Usage, which explain the rules of acceptable content.
Don't believe the Hype from PE writes: Bring back the 15 passenger Van. What is at issue here is not the type of vehicule, but this particular vehicule itself.
This van was being driven in winter, under adverse road conditions. Besides having poor brakes on the rear, and rust holes weakening the body, it had worn all season tires. The simple fix of good winter or even studded tires may very well have adverted this tragedy.
If I were to question anything, I would question how the vehicule passes a MVI just three months before? I would really like to know how many KMs were put on this vehicule since it's last inspection.
Another factor that must be considered is the force of the impact. The truck was doing over 70 km/hr. The van was doing over 70 km/hr. That is the same force as if the truck hit a stopped van, but the truck was doing 140+ km/hr. It may be under the posted limits, but what will stand up to that kind of force? Do they think the new 24 passenger bus would? A tank might!
Something this story fails to mention is the fact, that the majority in the van, were not wearing seatbelts. One that was, was not wearing it properly. Exactly what will it take for people to figure out that seat belt do save lives. I know I have a hard time remembering to put mine on, but on a school trip there is no excuse. If some had it on, and others didn't, it was obviously a choice and not oversite.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
van not the problem from PEI writes: Terrible, terrible event that people will not soon forget, and shouldn't forget, but, the van was just the vehicle involved more cars, 18 wheelers, motor bikes. many companies and families use vans everyday, they are no worse than any other motor vehicle. time of day, fatigue and a snow storm made the difference this terrible night I would think.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Brad whelen from prince george, bc writes: Banning the use of a certain type of vehicle is just another knee jerk reaction devised by senior civil servants and endorsed by the politicans. Like many things, the decision to ban was not made on any scientific fact. As the previous commentator stated there were a lot of issues that did not help with success of the trip. In this day and age we do not lay blame in such tragedies. Good intentions, however, do not make up for lack of preparation, eg: are my skills up to the task, is my vehicle up to the conditions, do I need to evalute the risks more closely. Praying before or after will not change the outcome.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Concerned parent from pei writes: This was no accident ......it was PREVENTABLE. These vans are no more than a glorified cargo carrier. There is not alot of protection and they are known to easily roll if it is not loaded properly. Does anyone believe these boys were concerned about the van?? They put all of their faith in the school, driver to make sure it was. The parents have to feel terrible. Why were their children being transported in this death trap???? I can't believe the attitude of some people, oh well, it could have been any vehicle!!!!!!! There were alot of bad decisions made that night and believe me if the parents had any say those kids wouldn't have left Moncton. It bothers me that the school division is leery of lifting the ban on these vans....the ban should stay as is and they will have to work out transportation for students. I can tell you that my son will not be driving in one of those vans, we will drive him ourselves if we have to. Life is too precious and as a parent of an athlete I will be watching very closely as far a transportation is concerned.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Perhaps they should have been wearing seatbelts from PEI writes: To concerned parent: The sky could fall, you may want to keep your child indoors, but the house could fall down, so dig a hole. The hole could cave in, so build concrete around it. Concrete ends up causing cancer... If the children were wearing seatbelts some may have been saved. SUV's can roll just as easily as a cargo van. Poor maintenance and crappy tires cause accidents everyday. There are over 43,000 deaths per year because of car accidents in the US. They're not all in cargo vans.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Helen from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Just a band-Aid fix is all this is. It will only temporarily stop the proverbial sqeeky wheel from squeeking. In no way does this address the reall issues. I am sure road conditions, vehicle condition and human error all played parts in this tragic accident. I would like someone to explain to me how replacing minivans with minibuses will correct human error, road and vehicle conditions?
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
Maddie from PEI writes: I tend to agree with Brad Whelan that government had a knee jerk reaction to the incident. Yes indeed it was caused by a number of factors. However, one critical piece of information that I have not seen any reference to is the fact that it was a Ford extended van. By extended, I am referring to the fact that in the 70,s 80s and early 90,s, 15 passenger vans manufactured by Ford and Chrysler were nothing more than standard vans with an extension attached to the back. The extra space was located behind the back wheels which basically caused a tail wagging the dog effect. If you ever drove one you will know exactly what I mean. If the back seats were filled and some at the middle or front were empty the problem would be even worse. I bet the report ignores these facts.
Newer vans, particularly those made by GM have a longer wheel base which means the back wheels are very close to the back of the van with little overhang. Most if not all now have traction control as well. I would suggest they are indeed as safe as most other vehicles. However, bureaucrats will likely continue to take the same stand that ALL 15 passenger vans are death traps when in fact they are not! P.S.: I don't work for General Motors.
Please let us know if this reader's comment breaks the rules explained in the Terms of Usage and is obscene, abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, defamatory, profane or racially offensive by selecting the appropriate option to describe the problem.
Do not use this to complain about comments that don't break the rules, for example those comments that you disagree with or contain spelling errors or multiple postings.
NOTE
The management of this site emphasizes that it is in no way liable for persons, physical or legal, who are hosted here. Moreover, the managers of this site may not be held liable for errors and omissions that may slip into the information displayed in these reader comments. Everyone who submits a comment should read, understand and agree to the Terms of Usage for this section.
1
