A bus carrying a junior swim team was involved in a serious accident with a heavy truck in Mont-Laurier, Quebec, on Thursday, February 14, 2025. The collision occurred amid a winter storm that brought heavy snowfall across the province, raising concerns for travel safety.

The Quebec provincial police reported that they received calls regarding the crash in the afternoon. Out of approximately 30 individuals on board the bus, six were transported to a hospital. Fortunately, authorities confirmed that the injuries sustained by those affected were not life-threatening.

Among the injured were five young swimmers aged between 12 and 17 and a coach. Francis Ménard, the head of Quebec's swim federation, provided details about the swim team, which was en route from Val-d'Or, located in northwestern Quebec, to a competition intended to take place in Blainville, just north of Montreal.

In response to the accident, the swim federation consulted the affected athletes and has chosen to proceed with the competition as planned. This decision underscores a commitment to maintain normalcy and support for the young athletes in the wake of such a distressing event.

Furthermore, considering the weather conditions, which were expected to worsen with another significant storm forecasted to hit the province on Sunday, the federation is proactively developing a plan to ensure a safe return for all participants.

As investigations into the crash continue, officials are focused on understanding the circumstances surrounding the incident and improving safety measures for future travels, particularly during extreme weather events.