A bus driver is being commended for his ability to remain calm after he was threatened with a broken beer bottle during a trip from Fort McMurray to Edmonton.
Shortly after midnight on Friday, Dec. 6, a 911 call was received that the 35-year-old male suspect was not allowing the driver to stop the bus as scheduled and directed the driver to change routes near Edmonton towards Gibbons.
Morinville RCMP located the bus travelling on Highway 28 then turned on Highway 831 towards Bruderheim.
Fort Saskatchewan and Redwater RCMP were alerted and several patrol units became involved.
The bus was being driven in a manner that no other traffic was in danger.
“The safety of the passengers was the primary concern of the bus driver” says Sergeant Shayne Courtorielle, Acting Detachment Commander of the Morinville RCMP. “The driver needs to be commended for his ability to remain calm. His actions contributed to the safe outcome of this incident.”
The RCMP Emergency Response Team was activated and a crisis negotiator made contact via telephone with the suspect who then agreed to get off the bus.
After 90 minutes, around 1:50 a.m. the bus pulled over in Smoky Lakes RCMP’s jurisdiction and stopped near Waskatenau where RCMP members on scene took the male into custody without incident or any injuries to the driver or passengers.
The bus was then redirected to the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP detachment where resources were in place to take statement and interview the bus driver and nine adult passengers. Victim services was also on hand to offer assistances to the passengers.
The suspect remains in custody at the Morinville RCMP detachment and the investigation continues with charges pending.
