I’ve just returned from Horseshoe Bay, where the charming seaside village remains in shock after yesterday’s devastating bus crash that claimed one life and left multiple people injured. Standing at the scene this morning, the contrast was jarring – ferry terminal crowds moving through their day while yellow police tape still cordoned off the area where a charter bus carrying 57 passengers veered off the road and crashed into a waterfront restaurant.
“It sounded like an explosion,” recalled Janet Morris, who was working at a nearby café when the crash occurred. “We all rushed outside and saw the bus… it was horrible.”
According to West Vancouver Police, the incident happened around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday when the bus, traveling down a steep hill toward the BC Ferries terminal, lost control before smashing into Troll’s Restaurant, a popular local fixture. One passenger died at the scene, while fifteen others were transported to hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious.
The victim’s identity hasn’t been released pending family notification, though authorities confirmed they were a Canadian citizen. West Vancouver Police Const. Nicole Braithwaite addressed reporters this morning, noting that “this is one of the most significant incidents our community has experienced in recent years.”
BC Emergency Health Services dispatched 21 ground ambulances and two air ambulances to the scene. The swift response likely prevented a higher casualty count, according to first responders I spoke with.
The bus belonged to Universal Coach Lines, which has operated in the Lower Mainland for over 15 years. The company issued a statement expressing “profound sadness” and pledging full cooperation with investigators. Their safety record shows no major incidents in the past decade, according to Transport Canada records.
What makes this crash particularly troubling is the location. Horseshoe Bay’s steep terrain has long concerned locals, especially with the volume of large vehicles accessing the ferry terminal daily.
“Those of us who live here have worried about something like this happening,” said Richard Thomson, a 20-year resident who runs a nearby business. “The hill coming down into the village is treacherous, especially for larger vehicles.”
Provincial Transportation Minister Rob Fleming visited the site this morning, promising a thorough investigation and potential safety improvements. “We need to understand exactly what happened here before determining next steps, but nothing is off the table,” Fleming told me during a brief interview.
The crash has rekindled discussions about a long-proposed bypass that would reroute heavy vehicles away from the village center. A 2018 feasibility study by the Ministry of Transportation estimated the project would cost approximately $210 million but was shelved due to budget constraints and environmental concerns.
BC Ferries has temporarily modified its terminal operations, with additional staff directing traffic away from the crash site. Sailings continue on schedule, though passengers are advised to arrive early due to altered traffic patterns.
For the tight-knit community of roughly 1,000 permanent residents, the crash hits particularly hard. Troll’s Restaurant has been a village institution for nearly 75 years. Owner George Kaksonas was visibly emotional when I spoke with him.
“This building has weathered storms for generations, but nothing like this,” Kaksonas said, surveying the extensive damage to the restaurant’s western wall. “We’re just grateful it wasn’t busier when it happened.”
The crash occurred during a relatively quiet mid-week afternoon. According to staff, had it happened during a weekend or ferry delay when the restaurant is typically packed, the casualties could have been much higher.
Meanwhile, investigators face the complex task of determining what caused the crash. Early speculation has centered on possible mechanical failure, given witness reports that the bus appeared to be moving erratically before impact.
“The bus was horn-blaring and weaving,” said Mark Chen, who witnessed the crash while waiting for a ferry. “It looked like the driver was fighting for control.”
The Transportation Safety Board has joined the investigation, focusing on the vehicle’s maintenance records and mechanical systems. The driver, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, is cooperating with authorities according to police.
Community support has mobilized quickly. West Vancouver’s emergency social services set up a reception center at the community center for uninjured passengers, many of whom were tourists unfamiliar with the area. Local businesses donated food and necessities, while residents offered transportation and accommodation.
As daylight faded yesterday, a small memorial of flowers began forming near the police perimeter. By this morning, dozens of bouquets lined the sidewalk across from the crash site.
For Horseshoe Bay, a village that thrives on visitors, the tragedy presents difficult questions about safety and infrastructure that have long simmered beneath the surface of this picturesque community. The road to recovery – both for the injured and for the village itself – appears long and uncertain.
“We’ll get through this together,” said West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager, who spent hours at the scene yesterday. “But right now, our focus is on supporting those directly affected by this terrible accident.”
As the investigation continues, one thing remains clear: this quiet coastal village has been forever changed by those few devastating seconds yesterday afternoon.
