On Wednesday, September 18th, a double-decker touring bus crashed into a passing passenger train in Ottawa, Canada. Witnesses told Ottawa authorities how they observed the bus pass right through a lowered railroad crossing barrier into the side of the passing train. The front of the bus was violently ripped off, killing six passengers and injuring 30 more.
The bus driver was killed instantly, and 10 of the 30 were injured critically. A bus passenger, Tanner Trepanier, told police how the passengers could see the train bearing down as the bus approached the crossing and was not slowing down. According to Trepanier:
“People started screaming, ‘Stop, stop!’ because they could see the train coming down the track.”
Nearby witnesses explained how the bus barreled right into the side of the passing, four-car train. The train’s engine and one of the passenger cars were derailed by the impact. However, Via Rail, the train’s operator, confirmed there were no reports of major injuries to any passengers or crew aboard.
Another bus passenger, Gregory Mech, explained how he saw the bus was approaching a train crossing where there is about a 90-degree bend. Mech also said he didn’t think the driver noticed that signals were flashing and that the barrier was down.
Rebecca Guilbealt was on the bus with her 1-year-old son:
“I don’t know if the bus driver blacked out. He didn’t slow down, and it just impacted with the train.”
Guilbealt and her baby were uninjured. Canada’s National Transportation Safety Board will study the bus’ black box recording to try to determine the driver’s condition or actions in the moments leading up to the crash.
References:
USA Today
