Carberry bus crash rescuers have been inducted into the Order of Buffalo Hunt for their life-saving efforts

Premier Wab Kinew on Monday named 134 first responders to the Order of the Buffalo Hunt, presenting one of the province’s highest honors at a ceremony recognizing their efforts and courage in saving lives during Manitoba’s deadliest bus crash.

The Order honors Manitobans who have made outstanding contributions to the province in the areas of leadership, service and community involvement.

The distinction was received on behalf of the rescuers by:

Keith Loney, fire chief, Carberry North Cypress-Langford Fire and Rescue.
Yves Guillas, chief of the Neepawa Volunteer Fire Department.
Terry Parlow, chief, and Kevin Garrioch of Brandon Fire and Emergency Services.
Ryan Schenk and Grant Winder of the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

“Not only did you give it your all, not only did you save lives, not only did you support each other, I know I can only imagine that you took some things home with you that day, too,” Kinew said.

“I hope that as you go on a journey to process, heal and reflect on what you have done to serve your fellow Manitobans, that it will be an encouragement to you and reassurance that your good deeds will not go unnoticed. “he said.

A group of rescuers and the prime minister stand on the steps of the building to take a photo. — Premier Wab Kinew honored members of the Carberry North Cypress-Langford Fire Department during a ceremony awarding the Order of the Buffalo Hunt to first responders on Monday at the Manitoba Legislative Building. (Ian Froese/CBC)

Members of Carberry North Cypress-Langford Fire & Rescue, including the Neepawa and Brandon fire departments, were among the first to respond to the June 15, 2023, crash in Carberry, Mann., that killed 17 people.

The bus was carrying 25 people – most of them seniors from Dauphin and the surrounding area – who were on a day trip to a casino near Carberry when a truck hit it at the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 5.

Paramedics from Shared Health Ambulance, Manitoba RCMP, STARS Air Ambulance, as well as hospitals in Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg also responded to the tragic collision.

Emergency services stand near a truck with a semi-trailer that has been involved in an accident. — The scene of a crash on Highway 1 at Highway 5 near Carberry in 2023. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

Kinew announced that he would present these people with the Order during the August ceremony of unveiling the second monument commemorating those who lost their lives in the disaster.

The audience received thunderous applause as they signed the official register of the Order of the Buffalo Hunt, which was established in 1957 and is accompanied by a certificate of membership signed by the Prime Minister.