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Backgrounder

Sequence of events of the September 2013 collision between an OC Transpo bus and a VIA Rail train in Ottawa, Ontario

Time Event
0831:57 VIA 51 departed from the Ottawa Station.
0846:24 The bus arrived at the OC Transpo Fallowfield Station, south-side bus shelter.
Passengers exited the bus and other passengers entered the bus from the front and side doors.
0846:36 A passenger (cyclist) secured a bike on the bike rack at the front of the bus.
0846:53 The side door of the bus closed and passengers continued to board at the front door.
0847:13 The train was proceeding at 80 mph (128.7 km/h) approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the crossings. The LE applied the locomotive dynamic brake and train service brakes and began to slow the train in preparation for the stop at the VIA Fallowfield Station.
0847:17 The bells and lights at the Woodroffe Avenue and Transitway crossings were activated about 49 seconds before VIA 51 arrived.
0847:22 The train had slowed to 75 mph (120.7 km/h) approximately ¾ of a mile (1.2 km) east of the crossings with the locomotive dynamic brake and train service brakes applied.
0847:27 The bus departed from the OC Transpo Fallowfield Station.
0847:40 The Transitway crossing gates were fully down about 26 seconds before VIA 51 arrived at the crossing.
0848:02 The bus was travelling at 42 mph (67.6 km/h) with throttle (gas pedal) on.
0848:03 The bus was travelling at 42 mph (67.6 km/h) with no throttle (gas pedal) on.
0848:04 The bus speed reduced to 35 mph (56.3 km/h) with no throttle on and the brakes applied.
The train was proceeding at 47 mph (75.6 km/h) with the locomotive dynamic brake and train service brakes applied. The LE activated the train emergency brakes and engine bell.
0848:05 The bus speed reduced to 25 mph (40.2 km/h) with no throttle on and the brakes applied.
While travelling at 46 mph (74.0 km/h), the train arrived at the Transitway crossing.
The bus struck the south crossing gate, initiating a broken gate alarm on the crossing signal log.
0848:06 The bus speed reduced to approximately 5 mph (8.0 km/h) with no throttle on and the brakes applied. The bus collided with the south side of the train.
The train slowed to 43 mph (69.2 km/h). The electrical wiring for VIA 915 was severed and the LER stopped recording.