Via train, Ottawa bus collision causes multiple deaths

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: CBC

A collision between a Via Rail train and a double-decker bus in south Ottawa has caused multiple deaths, firefighters say.

The OC Transpo bus was travelling north on the Transitway, and Train 51 en route to Toronto was heading west when the collision occurred.

Firefighters say the crash happened at 8:48 a.m. ET near the intersection of Woodroffe Avenue and Fallowfield Road.

The front end of the bus suffered significant damage, firefighters added.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/via-train-ottawa-bus-collision-causes-multiple-deaths-1.1858868

[Tripper11]

1. At least 5 dead so far. CTV News

At least five people are dead after a Via Rail train and an Ottawa city bus collided at a level crossing in the city's southwest end Wednesday morning.

Fire officials in Ottawa confirmed there have been "multiple fatalities" and at least a dozen injured after the train and a double-decker OC Transpo bus collided.

"We had bodies and debris pretty much everywhere at the impact site," Ottawa Fire Service's Marc Messier told CTV's News Channel Wednesday morning.

Train crash Ottawa photos bus
A Via Rail train and a city bus collided in Ottawa's west end Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013. (Terry Pedwell / THE CANADIAN PRESS)



Via Rail train collides with Ottawa bus
Police say an OC Transpo double decker bus has been hit by a train at the Woodroffe and Fallowfield intersection. (Darryl Praill / Twitter)

"It's too soon to tell if number (of fatalities) will rise," he said, adding that at least five others were transported to hospital with serious injuries.


Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/via-train-and-city-bus-crash-in-ottawa-at-least-5-dead-officials-1.1459799#ixzz2fFtUfkj8

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. Bus driver fucked up - ALL buses are required to stop at railway crossings before proceeding,

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.
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even if no lights are flashing, no bells ringing, or a barrier not down.

This driver went right through a barrier already lowered.

Video/audio report here: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/09/18/via_rail_train_ottawa_city_bus_collide.html

CC

[Tripper11]

3. I think it's a little too early to speculate....

...that the driver fucked up. CTV Newschannel already speculating, drawing conclusions("but we don't know that&quot a la CNN.

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. NOT speculating! Watch/listen to the video . . .

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.
.

More than one witness saw the bus slam into the side of the train.

CC

[polly7]

5. Yes, one of the witnesses said passengers were screaming at the driver to slow down

and stop, and speculated that he/she may have lost the brake or possibly had some sort of attack ... the bus never stopped.

[applegrove]

6. Vibes to all the victims and their families.

[GliderGuider]

7. It's the same bus route a colleague takes to work, but he came in a couple of hours earlier.

We were all pretty shaken up. What a horrible tragedy, and knowing that some of the people who died probably saw it coming makes it even worse. Nobody knows why - human error, medical problem, mechanical failure are all possibilities. I offered condolences to the driver on my bus trip home tonight, and he seemed very appreciative. I can only imagine what they're going through, having to keep working (safely) when something like that has happened.