Manitoba looks to Saskatchewan for help handling deadly bus crash

RCMP have confirmed 15 people have died and 10 have been taken to hospital following a fiery bus crash on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Winnipeg.

The crash involved a semi-trailer truck and a van and has resulted in what Manitoba health officials are calling a “mass casualty event.”

READ MORE: 15 dead, 10 more in hospital after Manitoba highway crash: RCMP

RCMP say the bus was transporting mostly seniors from Dauphin, Manitoba to a casino in Carberry, Manitoba when the crash occurred between Brandon and Portage La Prairie.

Police, health officials, and community leaders in western Manitoba are looking to Saskatchewan for their experience handling deadly bus crashes following the horrific crash.

Dr. Rob Grierson, chief medical officer of emergency response services says first responders and air ambulances have learned a lot from the Humbolt Broncos in Saskatchewan in 2018. That crash killed several members of a junior hockey team.

RCMP say video obtained of the crash indicates that the bus entered the roadway where the semi-trailer truck had the right of way.

Health officials say six of the ten seniors in hospital are in critical condition. The four others are being cared for in a surgical unit. The patients range in age from early 60s to late 80s.

There were 19 women and six men on the bus, six of the survivors are women and four others are men.

WATCH: RCMP to provide update on deadly Manitoba crash at 4 p.m.