Van Angels

Saving Lives, One Van at a Time

Open letter to Bathurst parents

Published in January 21st, 2008

Posted by markhsmith in Commentary, Rollover, Video

To the parents of the 7 Bathurst High School boys,
On January 11, 2008, your lives were changed forever. I know how you feel. On June 30, 2002, I lost my 17-year old daughter, Malori, in van rollover accident.
While Van Angels is an education and advocacy site, we also are very aware of [...]

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Canadians call for ban of 15-Passenger vans

Published in January 19th, 2008

Posted by markhsmith in Commentary, News

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Passenger van used in crash comes under scrutiny as Transport …
The Canadian Press -
A 15-seat van - a 1997 Ford Club Wagon - was carrying members of the Bathurst High School basketball team back from a game in nearby Moncton shortly after …
See all stories on this topic
Federal [...]

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Edmonton public plans Sept. ban for ‘death trap on wheels’

Published in January 16th, 2008

Posted by markhsmith in Accident, Commentary, Legal, News, Video

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EDMONTON - Edmonton’s public school district has plans in place to stop using the type of van that has been called “a death trap on wheels” and banned for school use in the United States. Seven basketball players and a teacher were killed in the same type of 15-passenger van in a highway crash in [...]

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Churches and Missions groups keep vans in spite of dangers

Published in January 6th, 2008

Posted by markhsmith in Commentary

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While 15-seater vans are illegal to sell to public schools, they are being sold to private schools, day-care centers, senior centers, churches, missionary groups, etc. In 2005, I received a phone call from the head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB is an independent agency that investigates accidents (air, sea, train, [...]

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