Crash survivor Bradd Arseneau leaves the courthouse in Bathurst, N.B., on Tuesday after testifying at the inquest into the crash that took the lives of seven high school basketball players and an adult 16 months ago. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)

The coroner's inquest into the Bathurst van crash that killed eight people heard Wednesday from the second member of the Bathurst High School basketball team who survived the tragic accident.

Tim Daley described what he remembered of the accident. Bradd Arseneau, the other player who survived, appeared before the inquest on Tuesday.

Wearing his black and white Phantoms team jacket, Daley recalled how snow was falling the afternoon the team boarded the 15-passenger van for the 200-kilometre trip to Moncton.

That night, after his team played and lost in Moncton, the snow was starting to be mixed with rain, he told the inquest.

'He lost all his friends on that bus that night and my heart goes out to him.'— Isabelle Hains

As the van made the drive back to Bathurst, Daley said he and his teammates were talking and laughing.

He said he could hear the slush hitting the tires, so he kept his eye on the road and the speedometer.

Shortly after midnight, Daley said he felt the back end of the van swing, so he grabbed the seat in front of him.

He said he saw the oncoming transport's headlights — and the next thing he remembers is waking up in the ditch.

On Tuesday, Arseneau told the inquest that he was listening to music just before the crash and opened his eyes when he heard someone yell.

But he said all he saw was a blur as they slammed into the truck.

Seven players on the team were killed in the crash, along with the coach's wife, who was an elementary school teacher in Bathurst.

Isabelle Hains, whose son Daniel died in the crash, watched Daley's comments on the stand on Wednesday. Outside the court, she said the young survivor's testimony affected her deeply.

"He lost all his friends on that bus that night and my heart goes out to him," she said.

Jury also heard from 1st civilians on the scene

The jury also heard from the first two civilians on the scene. Sebastian Morrison and Julie Chiasson described for the five-person jury the chaotic scene they came upon just outside Bathurst.

They used their vehicles' headlights to illuminate the dark and snowy scene.

Morrison said he joined the coach and van driver to search for victims.

Chiasson called 911 and helped the survivors as they waited for ambulances to arrive. She said they waited about 10 to 15 minutes for ambulances to arrive — but said it felt more like an hour.

The RCMP's accident reconstructionist also appeared at the inquest Wednesday. Cpl. Annie Neilson testified that the force of the impact ripped the passenger side and back panels off the van.

She said the three rear benches were ejected, along with the players who were sitting on them.

Six of the vicitms weren't wearing their seatbelts that night, Neilson said. But she could not determine whether seatbelts would have made a difference in the deadly outcome of the accident.

The inquest is expected to last about two weeks.

The jury will have the opportunity to make non-binding recommendations to prevent future accidents.

Earlier reports by the RCMP and Transport Canada have indicated the school's van was not in good condition and would have likely failed a safety inspection.

Neilson's RCMP report in July said the van had worn tires, faulty brakes and a rusting body.