The president of Tisdale Bus Lines says they’re ready to work with the North Bay Trappers U18 team on replacing their equipment.
This after Sunday night’s bus fire on Highway 11 in the Kirkland Lake area.
“They lost all of their equipment and their personal belongings,” says Ron Malette. “We assured them that we are there for them to help them and get through this. Whatever we can do to get it done expeditiously that’s what we need to do.”
Malette says from speaking with the driver, Ontario Provincial Police and emergency services, the driver felt he blew a tire at 6:52 pm and pulled over to a safe spot, went outside to the back of the bus and found a few of the tires on fire and the back of the bus ‘engulfed in flames’.
“He immediately ran back to the front of the coach and had everyone exit to a safe distance away,” Malette says. “He called 911 requesting fire trucks and we arranged to have a rescue vehicle sent out.”
He says replacing the equipment could take longer than a couple of days.
“They had planned a trip to the U.S. this coming weekend, but they’ve had to cancel that tournament because they don’t have any equipment,” Malette says. “When I was on the phone again with the team manager this morning (Monday) I reiterated that whatever we can do to get that equipment into the team’s hands, we’re happy to do it.”
Malette says the driver’s professionalism was paramount in this incident, noting he did exactly what he was supposed to do and kept everybody safe.
Highway 11 was closed for several hours between Highway 66 and Matheson but reopened around 11:30 pm.
