As reported and witnessed by Le Vingt55 yesterday, the young people all returned and returned safely from their misadventure after being unwillingly involved in an accident and leaving the road while they were heading towards a training camp which was to take place in Florida. Invited to comment, both the Baseball Quebec organization and the management of the transport company Fleur de Lys took stock of the situation and events.
Baseball Québec confirms and specifies that the accident involving the bus transporting athletes from the Sport-études baseball programs Fadette and Marie-Rivier took place on Saturday night confirms Audrey Lessard, communications coordinator for Baseball Québec » The accident It occurred while the group was en route to Florida for their spring training camp and confirms that the driver of the bus lost control and ended up driving into trees on the side of the road in Virginia, near the town of Emporia.
Local emergency services quickly intervened to assist the passengers. A trainer, Yannick Powers, was rushed to a local hospital. He underwent several operations and will have to remain hospitalized for a few more days. Fortunately, the other players and coaches were able to return to Quebec safely yesterday around 11:30 p.m. in Drummondville
The Federation was informed of this accident early Sunday morning and immediately took measures to best support the coaches and managers on site.
“We are extremely relieved to know that no one is in danger of death and very proud of the management of the situation by the program leaders. Their responsiveness and ability to reassure the athletes on site at such a critical moment were remarkable,” mentioned Maxime Lamarche, general director of Baseball Québec.
Our thoughts are now with all the athletes, coaches and parents affected by this event, and especially Yannick Powers, a prominent member of our baseball family.
Now that all our young people have returned home, we are awaiting the conclusions of the investigation to understand the circumstances of the accident and determine how we can further support our Sport-études programs during this ordeal. added Maxime Lamarche, general director of Baseball Québec.
The CEO of the Autocar Fleur de Lys company, Mr. Georges Morissette, confirmed and clarified this morning that the young people were back safe and sound.
Called to comment on the incident, it was this morning that the CEO of the company, Fleur de Lys, Mr. Georges Morissette, responded to Vingt55’s interview request: “We confirm that a bus transporting sports teams from “a secondary school in Drummondville and Saint-Hyacinthe left the road around 2:50 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Virginia, in the United States,” recalls and specifies Mr. Georges Morissette, CEO of the company, Fleur de Lys
“First, let us emphasize that all the young people who were on the bus are safe. One of the coaches suffered injuries and is receiving appropriate treatment at a Virginia hospital, confirms Mr. Georges Morissette.
“Our two drivers are also safe. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, also confirms the company’s CEO, Fleur de Lys M. The drivers quickly notified company management who immediately sent a bus to take everyone home following the accident. All passengers, except the coach who is still under observation in hospital, have now returned, assure M. Morissette.
For his part, Normand Page, director of communications at the Center de Service Scolaire des Chênes, declared: “Although the activity was not organized by the school, it is our students and our thoughts are with them as well as their families. Under the circumstances, we are relieved that no students were injured and we hope for a speedy recovery for the coach injured in the accident. »