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Two people are confirmed dead and several more are injured following a bus crash on Vancouver Island, most of them university students.

Port Alberni RCMP said the crash happened 40 kilometres south of the city down a remote industrial logging road just before 9:30 p.m Friday.

Police were alerted to the crash after a call from a satellite phone registered to the University of Victoria.

Const. Doug Pennington with Central Vancouver Island Traffic Services said the bus had 48 people on board including the driver when it went down an embankment and rolled over east of Bamfield.

“They were southbound, went off-road right. Two are deceased,” Pennington said. “The rest have been transported back to Port Alberni with various degrees of injuries.”

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WATCH: Bus full of university students crashes, killing two

1:53 Bus full of university students crashes, killing two Bus full of university students crashes, killing two

BC Emergency Health Services (EHS) said paramedics responded around 9:45 p.m. and transported 17 patients to hospital, including two in critical condition and one in serious condition. The rest are said to be in stable condition.

The driver was among those taken to hospital, the bus company confirmed.

Thirty more passengers were taken from the scene on another bus, EHS said.

BCEHS and partner agencies responded to a call at 9:45pm last night for a bus down an embankment near Bamfield. 17 patients taken to hospital, including 2 in critical, 1 in serious and 14 others stable condition. Approx 30 more transported from the scene by bus. — Emerg Health Services (@BC_EHS) September 14, 2019

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The two deceased were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Port Alberni Fire Department and RCMP.

Both were among a group of students from the University of Victoria on their way to the Bamfield Marine Science Centre, the university’s president Jamie Cassels confirmed in a statement.

READ MORE: School bus full of farm workers crashes into ditch in rural Abbotsford

“We are deeply saddened by the death of two University of Victoria students last night,” Cassels said. “Our heartfelt thoughts go out to the students’ families and loved ones, to whom we offer our sincerest condolences. We also thinking of those injured in the crash.”

Cassels added counseling and other supports are being provided to students, professors and staff affected by the crash.

We are deeply saddened by the death of two UVic students last night. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to the students’ families and loved ones, to whom we offer our sincerest condolences. The university is offering counselling and other supports. https://t.co/iTSP9Y5vcW — UniversityOfVictoria (@uvic) September 14, 2019

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University spokesperson Valerie Kuehne said Saturday 45 students and two teaching assistants were heading to the science centre for a two-day field trip collecting marine samples and conducting lab work.

“We understand right now one person remains in hospital,” she said.

Kuehne could not speak to why the bus was travelling down the logging road at night, when heavy rain reportedly created poor driving conditions.

RCMP along with several ambulances, firefighters and helicopters attended the scene. A community centre in Port Alberni was set up for crash victims who were not injured.

A crash reconstruction team have the road closed to investigate along with the BC Coroners Service. It was originally scheduled to reopen around 11 a.m. but remained closed well into the afternoon

“The bus is about 20 metres down the embankment,” Pennington confirmed.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre had tasked two Cormorant helicopters and one Buffalo SAR aircraft from 442 Squadron in Comox to assist with the rescue.

The Port Alberni Fire Department said its members’ “hearts are heavy” while praising the work of their fellow first responders.

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In a statement, Victoria-based charter bus company Wilson’s Transportation said it owned the bus involved in the accident.

“Our immediate concern is with the passengers, the driver and their families,” the company said. “Management and ownership is working with authorities and the University of Victoria to address those immediate concerns.”

The company said the driver, who suffered non-life threatening injuries and has been released from hospital, was experienced and had proper certification.

READ MORE: School bus with 14 students aboard crashes in Mission

The bus had also recently passed all regulatory requirements and safety inspections, and was equipped with seatbelts.

Premier John Horgan also posted his condolences to the families on social media, saying he was “heartbroken” over the news.

Heartbroken. My thoughts are with the family, friends and classmates of the UVic student injured and two killed in a tragic accident on the way to Bamfield last night. https://t.co/brhvFOZ8UD — John Horgan (@jjhorgan) September 14, 2019

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also commented on the incident, along with several Vancouver Island federal candidates.

My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the students whose lives were taken too soon in last night's bus crash on Vancouver Island – and I’m wishing all those injured a full recovery. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 14, 2019

On behalf of Greens everywhere, deepest sympathy to anyone affected by this tragedy. The world needed these committed young scientists. Just heart-breaking. #GPC https://t.co/L2bk4wILhU — Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) September 14, 2019

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Very sad news – loss like this is hard to comprehend. I'm sending my deepest condolences to all those impacted by this tragic accident. https://t.co/dWAfw8YKfs — Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 14, 2019

Devastated to hear of the bus rollover between Port Alberni and Bamfield last night. My thoughts are with the family of those affected by this accident. Students in need of support can contact 250-721-7599 and faculty can contact 844-880-9142 for counselling services. — Nikki Macdonald (@OceanNikki) September 14, 2019

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