Bus crashes into pole at Uptown
B.C. Transit bus with more than a dozen people on board went out of control and crashed into a pole Tuesday night near an entrance to Uptown shopping centre.
One person was injured, assessed at the scene, and released. No other vehicles were involved.
The crash occurred at 6:50 p.m. as the northbound Route 31 Royal Oak Exchange/James Bay bus was leaving Douglas Street and entering Carey Road.
B.C. Transit spokesman Jonathon Dyck said the bus ended up on the sidewalk, next to a B.C. Hydro utility box, after hitting a sign pole at a bus stop.
Saanich police acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie said the bus hit the centre median as it left Douglas. “It caused the bus to head towards the garden area,” Leslie said.
B.C. Transit is investigating and interviewing the driver about the crash. “We will work with the driver to support them as appropriate,” Dyck said.
B.C. Transit is also conducting a mechanical inspection of the vehicle.
“We are sorry to the passengers that were affected by this incident,” said Dyck. “We know there were a number of passengers, but some left the scene before we could count.”
The passengers who remained boarded another bus, Dyck said.
“As with any incident, B.C. Transit will be conducting an internal investigation to determine if there are improvements that can be made to prevent it from occurring in the future.”