Monument honouring victims of deadly Manitoba bus crash planned for Dauphin city park

A monument honouring the victims of last year's deadly bus crash near Carberry, Man., is planned for a Dauphin city park.

The monument will be unveiled on the one-year anniversary of the June 15, 2023, crash, which left 17 people dead and eight others injured, said Dauphin Mayor David Bosiak.

"It just shows some respect for all that was lost in our community," he said.

"There was so much history that was lost that day with those folks, and it was just such a shock to so many of us. So I think it's just a reminder that we lost a lot of good people that day and they'll never be forgotten."

The collision happened when a bus carrying seniors many of whom were from the Dauphin area on a day trip to a casino near Carberrywas hit bya semi at the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans-Canada Highway.

RCMP has said dashcam footage shows the semi had the right-of-way.

Bosiak said a group of family members came forward to Dauphin's city council last year asking that a memorial be established in CN Park in time to mark the first anniversary.

"That was a very significant day for all of the family members and it will be, you know, embedded in their minds for the rest of their lives," he said.

"To have something in place on the day, one year later, just sort of wraps it all up a little bit and gives them a sense that they're not going to be forgotten."

City council set up a committee, which included senior managers,to work with those family members, Bosiak said.

Funds raised by the Dauphin & District Community Foundation's Support Our Seniors Fund, which was set up after the crash, along with a contribution from the province will help pay for the monument, he said.

A local manufacturer is working with the family members on the monument's design, and city crews are now finalizing the location in consultation with the committee, said Bosiak.

RCMP said Wednesday the investigation into the crash is continuing. In January, RCMP told CBC a package had been sent to the Manitoba Prosecution Service for review and direction on whether charges should be laid.

Earlier this year, the Manitoba government announced it has earmarked $12 million to upgrade the intersection.

A report released in Januaryoutlined three potential options on how the intersection where the crash happened could change, with construction expected to be complete by the fall of 2026.