Update (5:16 p.m.):
DriveBC says the incident has been cleared.
✅CLEAR.
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 5, 2026
Update (5:05 p.m.):
Northern Health has confirmed the Code Orange at the Mackenzie and District Hospital has ended, and emergency department services have returned to normal as of 3:30 this afternoon (Wednesday).
As of 4:30 p.m., University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George remains on Code Orange while patients injured in this morning’s motor vehicle incident on Highway 39 are treated.
Northern Health asks all residents to continue to avoid the UHNBC emergency department for all but life-threatening emergency needs at this time.
–With files from Darin Bain, My Prince George Now
Update (3:30 p.m.):
BC Emergency Health Services Paramedic Public Information Officer Brian Twaites confirmed to Vista Radio multiple ambulance resources were dispatched to the bus crash.
Resources included six ambulances with primary and advanced care paramedics, six air ambulances with critical care paramedics and primary care flight paramedics, two paramedic supervisors, two area managers and a clinical operations director.
Twaites confirmed 20 people needed emergency medical care, adding:
- One patient was transported by air ambulance from the scene to hospital in serious condition.
- Six patients were transported by ground ambulance to hospital and subsequently transferred by air ambulance to another facility for further care.
- Of these six, two were in serious condition and 4 were in serious but stable condition.
- 13 patients in stable condition were transported by bus to hospital accompanied by advanced care paramedics.
BCEHS paramedics, supervisors, and managers also supported hospital staff in triaging patients, and thanks everyone involved in the coordinated response.
Update (3:12 p.m.):
The BC Highway Patrol is asking for any witnesses and dash cam footage of this morning’s bus crash, that left about 20 injured.
BCHP said at 9:10 a.m., police were called about a single-vehicle collision on Highway 39, about four kilometres south of Mackenzie.
Upon arrival, police found a northbound white shuttle bus in a ditch, and about 20 passengers and the driver with injuries ranging from minor to serious.
Multiple air and ground ambulances have been used to get the injured the treatment needed, and a complete shutdown of the Highway was required.
“This was a chaotic scene, and police will need time to sort out many of the details.” said Sergeant Michael McLaughlin. “We need to speak with anyone who has dash camera video of the bus, or any witnesses who saw what was happening prior to the crash.”
BCHP added no arrests have been made, but the cause of the crash is still uncertain, and nothing has been ruled out.
Anyone who saw the bus in the minutes before the collision, or has dash cam footage, is asked to call BC Highway Patrol – Prince George at 250-649-4004 and quote file (3100) 2026-956.
Update (2:30 p.m.):
According to IREN, an AI data centre company with a location in Mackenzie, the bus involved in the incident was chartered by one of its contractors.
Below is a statement from an IREN spokesperson sent to Vista Radio.
“On Wednesday, November 4th, a bus chartered by an IREN contractor was involved in a road accident south of Mackenzie. Our immediate concern is for everyone on board and their families, and we are supporting the response however we can. We are in close contact with the contractor, emergency responders and the RCMP as they work to establish what happened. The safety of site personnel and community members remains our top priority, both on and off site.”
Update (1:50 p.m.):
The Northern Health Authority said the University Hospital of Northern B.C. (UHNBC) has also declared a Code Orange to support the response efforts.
It adds there are no details to share about the number of patients involved, or their conditions.
The Health Authority asks Prince George area residents to avoid the UHNBC emergency department for all but life-threatening emergency needs at this time.
Update (11:49 a.m.):
According to the Prince George Regional Highway Rescue Facebook page, the bus involved was a commercial bus.
Northern Health has also posted on Facebook the Mackenzie and District Hospital has declared a Code Orange to support the response efforts.
The Health Authority statement is below.
“Mackenzie and area residents are advised that Mackenzie and District Hospital has declared a Code Orange to support the response to a motor vehicle incident on Highway 39.
We ask that area residents avoid the Mackenzie and District Hospital emergency department for all but life-threatening emergency needs at this time.
For non-urgent care, please contact your primary care provider, call the NH Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic at 1-844-645-7811 https://www.northernhealth.ca/…/digital…/virtual-clinic, or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists www.HealthLinkBC.ca
Patients with scheduled (non-urgent) procedures at Mackenzie and District Hospital will be contacted if their procedure will need to be rescheduled.
Thank you for your understanding.”
Northern Health also asks area residents to avoid the Mackenzie emergency department for all but life-threatening emergency needs at this time.
Original (10:38 a.m.):
Highway 39 at the 11300 block south of Mackenzie is closed in both directions as RCMP and other emergency crews attend a vehicle incident involving a bus.
Police say officers were advised of a bus that had left the roadway this morning (Wednesday), with multiple injuries being reported, including serious injuries.
“They’re calling in for an air ambulance and looking for some space for that to be able to land right now.” said Corporal Jennifer Cooper. “People are going to have to make alternate travel arrangements if they are going to or from Mackenzie today.”
Mounties add there are currently no alternate routes around the closure.
BC Emergency Health Services and Fire Rescue are on scene, and have requested multiple ambulances to assist.
Highway maintenance personnel are assisting with traffic management, and RCMP collision analysts have also been requested to attend the scene.
The highway is expected to remain closed for several hours while emergency personnel provide medical care, and investigators examine the scene.
Cooper added the situation is unfolding, and is a tough area for communication, creating difficulties sending information in and out.
