September 18, 2013

Collision between OC Transpo bus and VIA Rail train

Montréal, September 18, 2013 –At approximately 8:50AM this morning, an OC Transpo bus collided with VIA Rail train #51 (viarail.ca) at a level crossing located east of Fallowfield Station, near Ottawa. There were more than 100 passengers on board the VIA Rail train, no injuries were reported to the VIA Rail passengers. Tragically, there have been reports of casualties and serious injuries among the passengers of the OC Transpo bus. The cause of the collision is not known at this time. VIA will collaborate fully with its partners at OC Transpo and any authorities involved in the investigation of this tragic accident.

“On behalf of everyone at VIA Rail, we extend our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by today’s tragic event. We are deeply saddened by this collision and we express our sincere appreciation for the dedication and work of first responders on the scene”, said Marc Laliberté, President and CEO of VIA Rail.

VIA Rail employees and passengers on board the train will receive support. Passengers scheduled to travel today between Ottawa and Toronto will be transported by bus. Significant delays are expected. For more information, travellers can visit viarail.ca or call 1 888 VIA RAIL (1 888 842 7245).

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking 450 communities across its 12,500-kilometre route network. Recipient of the Railway Association of Canada's Safety Award in 2012 for the 11^th time in 12 years, and of the 2013 Agent's Choice Award voted by Canadian travel agents and presented by Baxter Travel Media, VIA Rail safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. Since 2007, the Government of Canada has invested almost a billion dollars in VIA Rail. Follow the progress of our transformation at viarail.ca/transformingvia.