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Rail transportation safety investigation R15V0191

The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 13 July 2017.

Table of contents

Grade crossing collision

Canadian National Railway Company
Langley, British Columbia

View final report

The occurrence

On , at approximately 1120 Pacific Daylight Time, Canadian National Railway train Q10251-11, travelling northward on the Canadian Pacific Railway Page Subdivision, collided with an ambulance at the Crush Crescent–Glover Road crossing (Mile 18.81) in Langley, British Columbia. The paramedic in the patient compartment and the patient suffered injuries and were airlifted to hospital. The driver was transported to hospital, treated, and released. The patient later died of injuries sustained in the accident


Safety communications

Safety advisories

2016-03-17

Rail safety advisory letter 06/17: Jurisdictional responsibility for roadway markings at Crush Crescent – Glover Road crossing in Langley, BC

2017-05-10

Rail safety advisory letter 07/16: Crossing Safety at Crush Crescent / Glover Road in Langley, BC


Media materials

News releases

2017-07-13

Complexity of the railway crossing and driver distraction led to 2015 fatal railway crossing accident in Langley, British Columbia
Read the news release

2016-04-18

Update on TSB investigation into 11 September 2015 fatal railway crossing collision in Langley, British Columbia
Read the news release

Speeches

2017-07-12

News conference for the release of Railway Investigation Report R15V0191: Opening remarks

Peter Hickli
Investigator-in-Charge, Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Sarah Harris
Human Factors Investigator, Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Deployment notice

2015-09-14

TSB investigating crossing accident in Langley, British Columbia

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is conducting an investigation into the 11 September 2015 crossing accident involving a Canadian National train and an ambulance in Langley, British Columbia.


Investigation information

Map showing the location of the occurrence


Investigator-in-charge

Photo of Peter Hickli

Peter Hickli has been with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 2006. He holds the position of Senior Regional Investigator Rail/Pipeline in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has been investigator-in-charge of several rail accident investigations, and has provided technical expertise on several other investigations as an investigation team member.

Before joining the TSB, Mr. Hickli worked for BC Rail/CN for 30 years, during which time he served a 4-year carman apprenticeship, and worked extensively in the Mechanical Department in unionized and management positions. A hazardous materials technician and advanced tank car specialist, he was also a member of the Derailment investigation team and the Hazmat team.


Photos


  Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

Class of investigation

This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.

TSB investigation process

There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation

  1. Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
  2. Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
  3. Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.

For more information, see our Investigation process page.

The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.