It's been a year since a bus crashed into a Laval kindergarten, killing two children

It's been exactly one year since the bus crashed into the Garderie Éducative Sainte-Rose in Laval, north of Montreal.

On February 8, 2023, two children were killed and six others were injured. The tragedy shook the tight-knit community of Quebec and Sainte-Rose.

Four-year-old Jacob Gauthier and five-year-old Maeva David's lives were cut short that day.

In a written statement, St. Rose Kindergarten owner Nancy Gschwender said the entire community was affected by the tragedy, “Feb. 8, 2023 will forever be remembered and cherished in our hearts. I am thinking of Jacob, Maeva and their families. My thoughts go out to the other little butterflies in the group and their families, the nursery staff, the children, the parents and the whole community.”

A private event was held in the morning with nursery staff and families to mark the anniversary on Thursday.

At 10:30 a.m., two white balloons were released into the sky in the Riviere de Mille-Ile park, not far from the kindergarten. It was the only public memory of the kindergarten.

Gschwender thanked them for their support over the past year.

“I'm proud of my team,” he said. “Despite our sadness and exhaustion, we weathered the storm and continued to provide quality services to our families. “The welfare of children remains a priority.”

Father of two Andre Beaudoin, who helped pull the children out from under the bus on the morning of the crash, said he would help the families of the victims in their grieving process.

She said she still remembers looking up on the morning of February 8, 2023, as she was unbuckling her son's seat belt, and saw a bus pass her in the parking lot.

Since the attack on the kindergarten, the building has been reinforced with concrete fences on the outside.

The administration asks the public not to leave flowers or stuffed animals outside the building, but instead to donate to the Cité de la Santé or Sainte-Justine Hospital funds.

“Despite these difficult times, we will continue to shine a light on our little butterflies that we will never forget,” Gschwender said.

Low flags in memory

Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer said in a press release Thursday that flags were lowered at city hall, police stations and fire stations in Laval to honor the victims and “show respect and solidarity for all victims.” .

“Although this sad day evokes sadness and grief, I remember the many expressions of solidarity, mutual aid and compassion that the Laval community has shown towards the affected families. It is also very important for me to acknowledge the extraordinary work of all municipal departments, as well as our many partners and Laval organizations, during and after this difficult ordeal that has left us forever. Remembering the victims of this tragedy, let's be with our compatriots, take care, remember and support each other!”

“I just wish them courage, because as a parent I can't imagine losing a child,” Quebec Premier Francois Legault said at a press briefing Thursday morning. It's terrible, I can only think of the parents, the workers, the first responders. Some of them told me that when they went to Laval, it was scary to see what happened.”

The bus route was diverted for a day out of respect

The Société de transport de Laval (STL) has announced today that they will no longer have bus route 151 to and from the kindergarten.

“Given the sensitive nature of the commemoration of the tragic incident on February 8, 2023, the kindergarten management has requested STL to maintain a distance from the scene to show respect to those who wish to pay their respects. We are therefore committed to ensuring that the Société's representatives and staff respect their wishes on this sad day.”

“Therefore, our customers will be offered a shared taxi service as a replacement for the 151 all day on February 8, 2024.” The affected bus stops are located on the Terrace Dufferin, between Boulevard Saint-Rose and Rue Jacques-Cartier.

Listen to the bus driver

Pierre New St. Amand faces nine charges, including two counts of first-degree murder.

St. Amand's preliminary hearing begins March 25. Prosecutors said they plan to call 10 witnesses — civilians, a psychiatrist and family members of the accused — during the four-day hearing.

His attorney plans to contest both charges, arguing that his client lacked the necessary criminal intent.

At the hearing, it will be determined whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the trial.

Saint-Amand, 51, was detained at the Philippe Pinel Institute in Montreal.

– With Canadian Press files