Three people were killed and another 23 were injured — some critically — after a double-decker OC Transpo bus crashed at the Westboro transit station in Ottawa during the Friday afternoon rush hour, city officials and first responders have confirmed.
The collision occurred at 3:50 p.m., according to Ottawa police. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said on Friday evening that two of those killed were on the bus and one was on the platform.
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“Our hearts and condolences go out to all those injured (and) those family members who have lost loved ones,” Watson said at a news conference at city hall shortly after 7 p.m. on Friday. “Our thoughts are also with the others on that bus, at that station, those directly involved and those who witnessed the collision.”
The westbound 269 bus headed to Bridlewood, in the south end of Kanata, appeared to have rammed into the shelter at the station located west of downtown Ottawa. Images taken at the scene show the front of the double-decker bus ripped off. Fire crews used ladders to get passengers off the top level of the bus.
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The bus driver, a woman, was detained and taken to police headquarters for questioning, Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau said at the news conference.
The police chief said “something” at the scene required officers to arrest the driver.
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Three people dead, several injured after Ottawa bus crash
Six police collision investigators are now probing the cause of the crash and are being assisted by the provincial and federal ministries of transportation, Bordeleau said.
“This will be a long investigation. Investigators will be working through the night and into the morning to document the scene,” Bordeleau told reporters.
Bordeleau said several people were trapped on the upper deck of the bus “for a period of time” and that the bus’ upper level suffered the greatest amount of damage. Most of the serious injuries occurred on the upper right side of the bus, he said.
“As you can imagine, this is a very chaotic scene,” he said.
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Bus crash at Ottawa transit station kills 3 people
The bus could have been holding up to 90 passengers, standing and seating, OC Transpo general manager John Manconi told reporters. Manconi said officials do not know how many people were waiting on the platform when the collision occurred.
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Ottawa Paramedic Chief Myles Cassidy told reporters that 25 people were taken to hospital from the scene, 14 in critical condition and 11 in serious condition.
The Ottawa Hospital confirmed shortly after 8 p.m. that it received 12 patients at its Civic Campus and 6 patients at the General Campus following the crash. Seven of the patients remain in critical condition and 9 patients are in stable condition, across both campuses, the hospital tweeted.
The Queensway Carleton Hospital tweeted that it received one patient by ambulance and a few walk-in patients in connection with the collision and expected up to 10 more low-acuity patients.
The City of Ottawa tweeted that the Transitway is closed from Tunney’s Pasture Station to Westboro Station and told public transit users to expect delays. Scott Street is also closed from Winona Avenue to McRae Avenue, the city said. The duration of the closures is unknown.
OC Transpo said buses are being detoured as a result of the crash. The city and police are asking people to avoid the area.
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Supports for those affected
City staff have been asked to ensure “all necessary resources” are made available to assist individuals who were injured and their families, Watson said.
Family members who suspect a loved one was affected by the bus crash but cannot connect with that individual can call 1-855-797-8875, a reunification line set up by the Red Cross.
The Distress Centre of Ottawa urges anyone affected directly or indirectly by the fatal collision or anyone experiencing feelings of anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder following the crash to call their help line: 613-238-3311
The Churchill Seniors Centre, located at 345 Richmond Rd., is open to residents seeking information about family members involved in the collision, police said in a news release.
Flags flying at Ottawa City Hall have been lowered to half-mast, Watson said at the news conference on Friday evening.
Politicians react to fatal collision
Multiple city councillors tweeted their sympathies and condolences in the aftermath of the fatal crash.
Jeff Leiper, the Ottawa city councillor representing the area where the Westboro transit station is located, described the community as “shaken and grieving” after the tragic event on Friday.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Twitter that he was “devastated” to hear of the accident and thanked first responders for their assistance, along with Ottawa MPPs Lisa MacLeod and Merrilee Fullerton. In statement later on Friday evening, Ford called the fatal collision a “terribly tragedy.”
“This is a difficult day for our nation’s capital, and my heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones,” the premier said. “I know that the people of Ontario have them in their hearts tonight.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also tweeted his “deepest condolences” to those affected.
In 2013, an OC Transpo double-decker bus collided with a Via Rail train in suburban Barrhaven, killing six people.
– With files from The Canadian Press and Christopher Whan
https://twitter.com/SaveOurSenators/status/1083834431322943491
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