ST. PAUL - It was a snowy drive through the streets of St. Paul on Dec. 19, following two days of snowfall in the area. And icy roads were likely a "contributing factor" that lead to a close call between a school bus and wheel loader during the afternoon rush.
At about 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 19, there was an incident involving a school bus and a Town of St. Paul operated wheel loader with a front mounted blade, confirmed Town of St. Paul CAO Steven Jeffery, Monday evening.
“The incident occurred at the intersection of 46th Street and 53rd Avenue with both vehicles headed in the same direction (east), each slowing for the stop sign at the upcoming intersection,” explained Jeffery.
The Town operated vehicle struck the bus in the back, causing some damage.
“The incident is under further investigation, however, initial findings from our Occupational Health and Safety department show unfavourable road conditions being a major contributing factor in the loader not being able to fully stop before making contact with the back of the bus,” said Jeffery. Thankfully, the contact was slow and there were no injuries reported.
“Any incident involving a school bus is always a scary one no matter the intensity and I'm very grateful that in this scenario, no one was injured,” said the CAO.
St. Paul Education superintendent Peter Barron also confirmed there were no injuries reported, and “Students were taken home on a separate bus.”
Snow removal ongoing
After a “fairly generous amount of snow” falling in the region over the weekend and into Monday, Town of St. Paul crews have been working “around the clock since Sunday” to get Priority 1 roads cleared, as per the Town’s snow removal policy, according to the CAO.
“A second night shift crew will work throughout the night (Monday) and the day shift will resume operations (Tuesday) starting on Priority Level 2 areas,” explained Jeffery.
The Town would like to ask for the public’s patience as work continues to clear streets throughout the community.
Temperatures are also expected to drop below -40C with the windchill over the next few days.
