At least 5 dead in Canada bus, train crash
AFP Updated September 19, 2013, 12:25 am
OTTAWA (AFP) - A double-decker bus collided with a passenger train at a crossing in a suburb of Canada's capital on Wednesday, killing at least five people, an official said.
Ottawa fire department spokesman Marc Messier told broadcaster CTV that at least five bus passengers died and up to six others were injured.
The Via Rail company operating the affected train on the Ottawa to Toronto line -- on which traffic has been suspended -- reported no fatalities.
The OC Transpo bus was on its way downtown during the morning rush hour when the accident happened, according to local media reports.
The injured were being transported to area hospitals.
Canadian broadcasters showed images of the front of the bus sheered off and the train derailed.
Witnesses, meanwhile, recounted bus passengers being thrown from the bus.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed his condolences to the victims of the deceased.
"Deeply saddened to hear about the bus-train collision in Ottawa this morning," he tweeted. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those involved."
