Surrey party bus brawl leads to arrest

At least five people were injured and one man has been arrested following a massive brawl that broke out after a party bus pulled into a Surrey gas station Wednesday night.

RCMP say the bus was carrying about 50 people celebrating a recent graduation when it stopped at the Husky station on 56 Avenue and 176 Street at around 11:30 p.m. PT.

Some of the young people then got off the bus and got into a confrontation with a motorist who was trying to drive into the gas station, according to RCMP.

"This confrontation quickly escalated violently and was fuelled by a toxic mix of alcohol, testosterone, and poor judgment," said Sgt. Drew Grainger.

"This altercation led to weapons being brandished by both parties including edged weapons, bear spray, and a piece of lumber," said a statement issued by Surrey RCMP.

A total of five people were injured. The bus driver and one other person were stabbed. Four people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, said police. Several people were also sprayed with bear spray according to witnesses.

The driver of the second vehicle, a 22-year-old man from Surrey, was arrested for assault, and RCMP said charges are being considered against some of the bus passengers as well.

Sgt. David MacDonald said police had a lot of trouble figuring out how many people were involved and why the fight broke out.

"Anybody who was at scene says it was a big mess, a really big kerfuffle and we are going to have to try and figure it out during the daytime hours to get a better grasp on the situation," said MacDonald.

Most of the people involved were in their early twenties and are not involved with gangs, he said.