BATHURST, N.B. - The mothers of three students killed in a van crash in New Brunswick two years ago say they have acquired a minibus and will proceed with independent testing of tires next month.
Isabelle Hains, Marcella Kelly and Ana Acevedo of Bathurst have been asking the province for a loan of a 21-passenger minibus so they can determine the appropriate tires for the vehicles.
The women announced today that Girardin Minibus of Quebec has loaned them a vehicle and testing will begin Feb. 22 in Michigan at Continental Tires, one of the world's largest tire manufacturers.
Both Girardin Minibus and Continental Tires are donating their equipment and facilities free of charge.
The three Bathurst mothers say all they are interested in is a fair and honest test that answers a very important question about school transportation safety.
Seven players of the Bathurst High School boy's basketball team and an adult were killed in January 2008 when the van they were travelling in from a game went out of control in a snowstorm and struck a tractor-trailer.
