Keremeos, B.C. residents raise concerns over abandoned bus

It's been almost a year since police shot two people at an unincorporated campsite near Keremeos, killing one man and seriously injuring a woman.

A bus formerly occupied by squatters is sparking some concern amongst Keremeos, B.C., residents.

The former squatters were shot by RCMP almost a year ago. A man died, a woman was seriously injured, and the bus was left abandoned.

“We look at something that could have been taken care of months and months ago because there was actually worth to the items,” said Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Area G Director Tim Roberts.

“Right now, we’re left with a mess of vehicles and burned-out rubbish all throughout and stuff that has washed away in the river, that has no worth and it’s still here. This kind of highlights an overarching concern that we have in regards to endangerment.”

According to area residents, the bus had been an issue for two years prior to the police incident.

The woman has reportedly not returned to the site and it’s unknown if she is alive or remains in custody. RCMP declined to comment as the issue is still under investigation.

“Whoever’s got the authority or the ability to deal with this, deal with it and get this dealt with and get this bus out of here so we can all rest a little easier,” said Keremeos resident Lorne Briere.

Roberts says he has been in contact with the provincial government and RCMP.