Ottawa Bus-Train Crash, 18 September 2013 - Nepean, Ontario - Railway Disaster Sites on Waymarking.com

This small park (0.22 hectare or 0.54 acre) was created as a memorial to the victims and survivors of a nearby bus-train crash, 18 September 2013.

A monolithic granite boulder marks the centre of the park. Surrounding the boulder are six areas celebrating the life of each victim. Each area includes an informative plaque concerning each life and a playful piece of art to help us remember.

Posted co-ordinates are for parking.

The following summary is taken from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) report. On 18 September 2013, at about 0832 Eastern Daylight Time, westward VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA) passenger train No. 51 departed from the VIA Ottawa Station on time and proceeded en route to Toronto. At 0847:27, OC Transpo double-decker bus No. 8017 departed from the Fallowfield Station on the OC Transpo bus Transitway. At 0848:06, while proceeding at about 43 mph, the train entered the OC Transpo Transitway crossing, located at Mile 3.30 of VIA’s Smiths Falls Subdivision. At the time, the crossing lights, bells and gates were activated. The northbound bus was travelling at about 5 mph with the brakes applied when it struck the train. As a result of the collision, the front of the bus was torn off. The train, comprising 1 locomotive and 4 passenger cars, derailed but remained upright. Among the bus occupants, there were 6 fatalities and 9 serious injuries, and about 25 minor injuries were reported. No VIA crew members or VIA passengers were injured.

As with most railway accidents, there were many causes and contributing factors. The aforementioned TSB report detailed fifteen different contributing factors. The TSB report also described in detail many safety actions that were required since the accident.