A group of Special Olympics athletes whose bus was hit head on by a car near Cache Creek made it to their Kelowna destination after all.

Special Olympics B.C. president Dan Howe said all 22 athletes and coaches were checked out of Royal Inland Hospital by 9 p.m. Friday and en route to the Winter Snow Festival in Kelowna.

"Our concern was the safety and comfort of our athletes," said Howe.

He said everyone was asked if they wanted to return home to Prince George and Quesnel or continue on their journey.

"They all said they would like to move on to the camp," Howe told The Daily News. "We checked in with them (Saturday) morning and they were up, had breakfast and doing their events."

There were 24 people on the A&E Charter bus, including a Special Olympics B.C. staff member and driver. Injuries ranged from minor to broken bones.

RCMP and the B.C. Coroners Service continue to investigate the collision, which occurred east of Cache Creek late Friday afternoon.

A westbound car crossed into the eastbound lane of the Trans-Canada Highway and collided with the bus. The smaller vehicle burst into flames and its driver and lone occupant was killed.

RCMP Cpl. J.R. Michaud said damage to the car was so extensive it could prove difficult to identify the driver.

The crash closed the highway for several hours.