British Columbia's Interior Health authority confirmed the development and tweeted: "Interior Health has initiated a Code Orange response as a result of a bus accident on #HWY97C Medical teams are currently receiving 53 patients at 3 hospitals located in #Kelowna #Penticton #Merritt."
The exact cause of the crash is still not known.
Shocked and saddened by the news of a serious bus accident between Merritt and Kelowna on the Okanagan Connector. Our thoughts are with those impacted, their loved ones, and the first responders and healthcare workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) December 25, 2022
Premier of British Columbia David Eby tweeted: " Shocked and saddened by the news of a serious bus accident between Merritt and Kelowna on the Okanagan Connector. Our thoughts are with those impacted, their loved ones, and the first responders and healthcare workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe."