2013 Ottawa bus–train crash

Fatal crash in Ottawa, Canada April 2025 Ottawa bustrain crash Ottawa Bus-Train Crash - Bus and Train - September 2013.png The scene of the crash after the collision. The train, as well as Fallowfield train station, are visible in the background. Photo taken along the tracks looking west. 45.302818 N 75.734054 W dms region:CA-ON_scale:50000_type:event inline,title 18 September 2013 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Grade crossing collision Obstruction of line 6http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-kills-6-in-commuting-horror-1.1858868 Ottawa bus-train crash kills 6 in commuting horror September 18, 2013 CBC News 23 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130919022044/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-kills-6-in-commuting-horror-1.1858868 19 September 2013 live 35http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/sur-safe/avis-advisories/2014/r13t0192/r13t0192-617-01-14-20140225.asp Rail Safety Advisory Letter 01/14 - OC Transpo buses traversing crossings with activated AWD protection Jang Kirby 25 February 2014 Transportation Safety Board of Canada Government of Canada 8 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140309032509/http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/sur-safe/avis-advisories/2014/r13t0192/r13t0192-617-01-14-20140225.asp 9 March 2014 dead The Ottawa bus–train crash was a collision that occurred between an OC Transpo double-decker bus and a Via Rail train in the Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven on September 18, 2013, that killed six people.The Canadian Press http://www.news1130.com/2013/09/20/via-rail-resumes-service-after-deadly-crash-in-ottawa/ VIA Rail resumes service after deadly crash in Ottawa 20 September 2013 NEWS1130 24 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20140309060859/http://www.news1130.com/2013/09/20/via-rail-resumes-service-after-deadly-crash-in-ottawa/ 9 March 2014 live Details thumb|left|The train after the collision, derailed The collision occurred at 8:48 a.m. at a rail crossing near Fallowfield Road and Woodroffe Avenue on the Transitway, the city's dedicated road for buses.https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/09/19/police_name_victims_in_collision_between_bus_and_train.html Ottawa bus-train crash: Families grieve for loved ones Bruce Campion-Smith 19 September 2013 Toronto Star 23 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20140309054539/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/09/19/police_name_victims_in_collision_between_bus_and_train.html 9 March 2014 live18 September 2013 CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-level-crossing-gate-down-25-seconds-before-crash-1.1861628 Ottawa level crossing gate down 25 seconds before crash 24 September 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20140111104744/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-level-crossing-gate-down-25-seconds-before-crash-1.1861628 11 January 2014 livehttps://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/6-killed-dozens-injured-in-collision-involving-ottawa-bus-via-rail-train/ Christina Commisso and Sonja Puzic 6 killed, dozens injured in collision involving Ottawa bus, Via Rail train 18 September 2013 CTV News 23 September 2013 3 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002408/http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/6-killed-dozens-injured-in-collision-involving-ottawa-bus-via-rail-train-1.1459799 live23 September 2013 http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/enquetes-investigations/rail/2013/r13t0192/r13t0192.asp Railway investigation R13T0192 Transportation Safety Board of Canada Government of Canada 5 December 2013 17 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131217204348/http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/enquetes-investigations/rail/2013/r13t0192/r13t0192.asp live The train, Via Rail #51 (pulled by General Electric P42 Genesis locomotive #915), departed Ottawa at 8:32 a.m., bound for Toronto. The bus, OC Transpo Route 76 (an Alexander Dennis Enviro500 double-decker #8017), had just departed from Fallowfield Transitway Station with 83 people aboard.24 September 2014 CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-speed-video-screen-factor-into-investigation-1.2775633 Ottawa bus-train crash: speed, video screen factor into investigation 28 October 2014 The crossing's gates, lights, and bells engaged 47 seconds before the crash, and its gates were fully horizontal across the road 25 seconds before the crash. The train rang its bell but did not sound its whistle, due to a municipal whistle ban in effect between 8:00 p.m. and noon. The train was travelling at 75 km/h at the time of the collisionbelow its speed limit of 161 km/h onand its emergency brakes were applied 2 seconds prior to the collision. The bus was travelling at 67.6 km/h onabove its speed limit of 60 km/h onbefore its brakes were applied, which occurred 3 seconds before the crash; the full force of the brakes was not initially applied. The collision sheared off the front end of the bus and derailed the train. Five occupants of the bus were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident (including the bus driver) and one later died in hospital, while thirty-five occupants were injured, five seriously. None of the train's passengers or crew were injured. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne were among those who offered condolences to the victims of the crash and their families. The bus and the train involved in the crash were both removed from the scene on September 19, 2013.Andrea Janus and Fan-Yee Suen https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/crews-clear-scene-of-deadly-ottawa-bus-train-crash/ Crews clear scene of deadly Ottawa bus-train crash 19 September 2013 22 October 2013 CTV News 29 October 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210850/http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/crews-clear-scene-of-deadly-ottawa-bus-train-crash-1.1461315 Via Rail train service resumed through the area in the morning of September 20, 2013. A community memorial was held for all of the victims of the crash at Cedarview Alliance Church on September 22, 2013, where funerals for two of the victims were also held later in the week.30 September 2013 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-crash-1st-funeral-held-for-victim-connor-boyd-1.1864347 Ottawa bus crash: 1st funeral held for victim Connor Boyd 23 September 2013 CBC News live 12 October 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131012015611/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-crash-1st-funeral-held-for-victim-connor-boyd-1.1864347 Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson was among those who attended the community memorial. Investigation The crash was investigated by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB). The TSB was not able to identify any issue with the track's condition or the operation of the train. The bus driver did not have any drugs or alcohol in his system and did not have any medical conditions that would have led to the crash. On September 28, 2013, TSB investigators and Ottawa Police investigators returned to the site of the incident in order to reenact the crash and collect more information on what might have led to the collision.https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/investigators-return-to-scene-of-fatal-bus-train-crash/ Investigators return to scene of fatal bus-train crash 28 September 2013 CTV News 22 October 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184905/http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/investigators-return-to-scene-of-fatal-bus-train-crash-1.1474716 29 October 2013 live Interim measures On October 16, 2013, based on early observations made by the TSB, Ottawa's transit commission, in the body's first meeting since the crash, outlined four new safety improvements for the level crossing that was the site of the crash.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/safety-improvements-made-at-ottawa-bus-crash-site-1.2074511 Safety improvements made at Ottawa bus crash site 16 October 2013 CBC News 21 October 2013 live 22 October 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022073140/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/safety-improvements-made-at-ottawa-bus-crash-site-1.2074511live https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/city-of-ottawa-takes-action-at-bus-train-crash-site/ City of Ottawa takes action at bus-train crash site 16 October 2013 CTV News 21 October 2013 22 October 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131022041330/http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/city-of-ottawa-takes-action-at-bus-train-crash-site-1.1499982 These measures were clearing trees and brush from the area of the crash site to improve visibility, reducing the speed along the Transitway approaching the level crossing from 60 to 50 km/h mph, installing bigger signs, and installing a new early warning light to caution buses when a train is coming. The city stated that these measures would only be extended to the crossing where the crash occurred and that these observations made by the TSB should not be confused with causes of the crash. In late fall of 2013, the City of Ottawa hired the consultant firm MMM Group to study whether or not the OC Transpo buses should be required to stop at all rail crossings as is done in many other regions in Canada.8 March 2014 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-hired-consultant-to-study-bus-stops-at-rail-crossings-1.2552925 City hired consultant to study bus stops at rail crossings 26 February 2014 CBC News live https://web.archive.org/web/20140410125820/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-hired-consultant-to-study-bus-stops-at-rail-crossings-1.2552925 10 April 2014 The results of the MMM group study were released on April 9, 2014, and suggested that requiring buses to stop at railway crossings actually increases collisions between buses and trains by 17 percent, prompting OC Transpo not to change their policy on the matter.Stephanie Kinsella 17 April 2014 http://www.cfra.com/news/2014/04/09/oc-transpo-will-not-change-policy-for-stopping-at-railway-crossings OC Transpo will not change policy for stopping at railway crossings 9 April 2014 580 CFRA News Talk Radio https://web.archive.org/web/20140416191805/http://www.cfra.com/news/2014/04/09/oc-transpo-will-not-change-policy-for-stopping-at-railway-crossings 16 April 2014 live On January 9, 2014, the City of Ottawa was ordered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), as part of its workplace safety investigation of the crash, to assess the safety of each railway crossing in the city where OC Transpo buses and trains have the potential of coming into contact.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-to-assess-rail-crossings-where-buses-trains-could-collide-1.2490837 City to assess rail crossings where buses, trains could collide 9 January 2014 CBC News 16 January 2014 18 January 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140118100608/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-to-assess-rail-crossings-where-buses-trains-could-collide-1.2490837 live On February 25, 2014, the TSB sent two letters to the City of Ottawa.25 February 2014 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/investigators-want-safety-boosted-at-site-of-bus-train-crash-1.2550700 Investigators want safety boosted at site of bus-train crash CBC News 8 March 2014 16 March 2014 live https://web.archive.org/web/20140316215839/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/investigators-want-safety-boosted-at-site-of-bus-train-crash-1.2550700 The first addressed four incidents that happened in the months following the bus and train collision where buses went through the crossing involved after its warning lights started flashing but before its gates closed. This first letter recommended that the city take additional measures to ensure that buses are able to safely stop at level crossings when the warning lights are activated. The second letter addressed another incident that happened on February 14, 2014, at the same level crossing where one gate stayed down and the warning lights remained on after the train had passed.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/oc-transpo-confirms-rail-crossing-signal-failure-last-week-1.2543564 OC Transpo confirms rail crossing signal failure last week 19 February 2014 CBC News 8 March 2014 5 April 2014 live https://web.archive.org/web/20140405091050/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/oc-transpo-confirms-rail-crossing-signal-failure-last-week-1.2543564 This second letter recommends that OC Transpo and Via Rail create standard operating procedures for dealing with malfunctioning automated level crossings. Further malfunctions of Via Rail crossings near the site of the crash led then Foreign Affair Minister and local MP John Baird to call for the resignation of Via Rail President Steve Del Bosco, who was later replaced as president by Yves Desjardins-Siciliano.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/via-rail-names-new-president-after-john-baird-calls-for-change-1.2639100 Via Rail names new president after John Baird calls for change 12 May 2014 CBC News 16 July 2014 13 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140513095700/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/via-rail-names-new-president-after-john-baird-calls-for-change-1.2639100 live On September 24, 2014, the TSB gave a progress update on the investigation. The update mentioned two potential factors in the crash: the speed of the bus, which exceeded the speed limit and affected its stopping distance, and a video screen located above the driver's work station used to monitor passengers on the upper level of the bus.24 September 2014 http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/rail/2014/R13T0192-20140924.asp Progress update on investigation into fatal 2013 OC Transpo – VIA Rail collision on Ottawa's Transitway Transportation Safety Board of Canada Government of Canada 6 January 2015 The update stated that a passenger who was standing at the time of the crash or a similar situation may have caused a distraction. The update recommended that the video screen should go blank when the bus is moving and that more should be done to monitor bus speed, particularly around railroad crossings. In July 2015, a draft of the TSB's report was submitted to the City of Ottawa and Via Rail.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-draft-report-submitted-to-city-via-rail-1.3173161 Ottawa bus-train crash draft report submitted to city, Via Rail 29 July 2015 CBC News 25 November 2015 Final report On December 2, 2015, the report of the TSB found that the driver of the bus was most likely distracted by the video screens that he was required to monitor as part of his job.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/oc-transpo-bus-crash-report-released-1.3343729 OC Transpo driver likely distracted by video monitor before deadly bus-train crash CBC News 2 December 2015 2 December 2015 The report also made recommendations to Transport Canada to develop guidelines for the use of in-vehicle video screens to reduce distraction, to develop crashworthiness standards for passenger buses, to equip passenger buses with crashworthy event data recorders, and to develop specific guidance for grade separation. The last recommendation of the report was for the City of Ottawa to review the need for grade separation at the level crossings at Woodroffe Avenue, Transitway and Fallowfield Road. Aftermath On July 11, 2014, the City of Ottawa decided to retire OC Transpo route 76, replacing it with route 72 in the fall schedule.16 July 2014 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/bus-route-76-involved-in-ottawa-bus-train-crash-to-be-retired-1.2704048 Bus route 76 involved in Ottawa bus-train crash to be retired 11 July 2014 CBC News 11 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140711195652/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/bus-route-76-involved-in-ottawa-bus-train-crash-to-be-retired-1.2704048 live On the first anniversary of the incident, city facility flags were lowered to half-mast.29 October 2014 https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/memorial-for-bus-crash-victims-in-the-works/ Memorial for bus crash victims in the works 17 September 2014 CTV News In October 2015, a memorial park was opened beside the Fallowfield Park and Ride which features six sections honouring each of the six victims.25 November 2015 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/memorial-park-fallowfield-station-1.3264929 Memorial Park unveiled at Fallowfield Station for bus-train crash victims 9 October 2015 CBC News On August 18, 2017, a survivor of the crash committed suicide.Duffy Andrew 14 November 2017 The Seventh Victim: After the bus-train crash, Greg Mech was never the same https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/the-seventh-victim-after-the-bus-train-crash-greg-mech-was-never-the-same Ottawa Citizen 19 January 2019 His family believes that his mental illness had been triggered by the events of the crash. Several lawsuits were filed against the City of Ottawa and the estate of the bus driver by families of those who died in the crash as well as survivors.live http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-victim-rob-more-s-family-sues-driver-city-1.2590217 Ottawa bus-train crash victim Rob More's family sues driver, city 28 March 2014 CBC News 16 July 2014 28 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140628094244/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-victim-rob-more-s-family-sues-driver-city-1.2590217http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-survivor-launches-4m-lawsuit-1.2690090 Ottawa bus-train crash survivor launches $4M lawsuit 27 July 2014 CBC News 16 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140628063742/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-train-crash-survivor-launches-4m-lawsuit-1.2690090 28 June 2014 live By September 19, 2017, of the 39 lawsuits filed against the city, collectively claiming $26 million, 31 had been settled with actual settlement payments totalling $8 million.5 October 2017 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/city-ottawa-pays-8-million-lawsuits-bus-train-crash-1.4297377 City pays out $8M in bus-train crash lawsuits 19 September 2017 CBC News By January 18, 2019, 35 of the 39 lawsuits had been settled, with the total payout rising to $9.7 million.19 January 2019 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-bus-crash-victim-lawsuit-1.4983581 City still facing lawsuits from 2013 double-decker bus crash 18 January 2019 CBC News On February 26, 2016, the City of Ottawa stated that it will study whether underpasses or overpasses are required at five of the city's railway crossings, including the crossing involved in the crash.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-study-underpasses-overpasses-rail-crossings-crash-1.3466398 Ottawa to study grade separation at bus-train crash site 26 February 2016 CBC News 26 February 2016 Out of respect for the incident, Strathcona County Transit skipped the numbering of 8017 when their new Enviro500s were introduced in 2016.Strathcona County Transit 8015-8016, 8018-8020 - CPTDB Wiki (Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board) https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php/Strathcona_County_Transit_8015-8016,_8018-8020 See also Ontario Railways Fallowfield railway station (Ontario) 2019 Westboro Station bus crash List of deadliest Canadian traffic accidents List of rail accidents in Canada List of rail accidents (2010–2019) References 2 External links Railway Investigation Report R13T0192 - TSB's final report on the incident Railway Investigation Report R13T0192 - TSB's final report on the incident in PDF form Collision between OC Transpo bus and VIA Rail passenger train investigation summary - An executive summary of TSB's final report on the incident Collision between OC Transpo bus and VIA passenger train: Executive summary - An executive summary of TSB's final report on the incident in PDF form TSB animation summary of the accident Railway Investigation R13T0192 - Collision between OC Transpo bus and VIA passenger train near Fallowfield Station, Ottawa - TSB's active investigation page on the incident Rail Safety Advisory Letter 01/14 - OC Transpo buses traversing crossings with activated AWD protection https://web.archive.org/web/20140309032509/http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/sur-safe/avis-advisories/2014/r13t0192/r13t0192-617-01-14-20140225.asp 2014-03-09 - TSB's first February 25, 2014, letter to the City of Ottawa Rail Safety Advisory Letter 617-02/14 - Reported malfunction of transitway automatic crossing protection - TSB's second February 25, 2014, letter to the City of Ottawa Progress update on investigation into fatal 2013 OC Transpo – VIA Rail collision on Ottawa’s Transitway - TSB's September 24, 2014, progress update on the investigation collapsed Ottawa bus-train crash Category:Bus incidents in Canada Category:Level crossing incidents in Canada Category:Railway accidents and incidents in Ontario Category:Accidental deaths in Ontario Ottawa bus-train crashs Category:Railway accidents in 2013 Category:Accidents and incidents involving Via Rail Category:OC Transpo Ottawa bus-train crash Category:Disasters in Ottawa Category:Rail transport in Ottawa Category:Bus transport in Ottawa Category:2013 in Ottawa