Video: Investigators say they have made progress in trying to figure out the cause of the Ottawa bus crash. Jacques Bourbeau reports.
TORONTO – The train, track and signals involved in Wednesday’s fatal collision of a train and bus in Ottawa were functioning correctly according to the Transportation and Safety Board of Canada.
“We have not identified any issues with the operation of the train or the condition of the track that we consider causal at this time,” said the TSB’s Rob Johnston, lead investigator of the collision of a Via Rail train with an Ottawa bus that killed six people and injured dozens more.
Read more: What we know about the victims in the Ottawa bus crash
Johnston said investigators obtained the train’s event recorder and reviewed the data, noting that no whistle sounded on the train’s approach due to a municipal whistle-ban that was in effect at that time (daily from 8 p.m. to noon).
The “black box” recovered from the Via Rail train is seen here:
The train was travelling at 47 miles per hour at impact, which Johnston said was “well below” the 100 miles per hour limit.
The lights, bells and gates of the crossing were activated 47 seconds prior to impact, and the gates were fully horizontal 25 seconds prior to the collision with the bus. Johnston said the automated crossing protection functioned “as designed and in accordance with regulatory requirements.”
Johnston said the train crew deployed the train’s brakes two seconds prior to impact, a timeframe that will be explored with the locomotive engineer, but isn’t considered unusual in such a situation.
Read more: TSB posts photos of Ottawa city bus, Via Rail train collision
“Those trains travel a long distance, and they’re very heavy, and it takes them a long distance to stop at that speed.”
The TSB has one “download” of data from the bus so far, and is still working to access that information. He said a detailed mechanical evaluation will follow as well as a review of requirements for buses to stop at all railway crossings. Bus operations and driver training will also be investigated.
Watch: TSB officials update Ottawa bus crash investigation Sept. 20
Human factors that may have affected the driver’s performance will also be reviewed.
“We will review medical history, we’ll review the work schedule of the individual…we have specialists who deal with that,” said Johnston.
Read more: Widow of Ottawa bus driver says husband was in good health prior to fatal crash
Investigators will also review the alignment of the crossing and of the roadway, and evaluate the visibility of crossing from the transitway.
“After today, no new information will be available for some time, although our work is ongoing,” said Johnston. “During that time, if any safety deficiencies are identified, we will notify the appropriate authorities and make information available to the public.”
Read more: Toronto-Ottawa train service resumes following horrific crash
Note: This story has been corrected to say the train was travelling at 47 miles per hour, which is approximately 75 kilometres per hour. The original article said the train was travelling at 70 miles per hour.
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