Rail transportation safety investigation R19W0236

Table of contents

    Crossing collision
    Freight train 320-173
    City of Kenora transit bus
    Mile 3.15, Keewatin Subdivision
    Kenora, Ontario

    The occurrence

    On , a Canadian Pacific Railway train proceeding eastbound struck the tail end of a Kenora Transit bus that was foul of the public crossing at Mile 3.15 of the Keewatin Subdivision. No derailment was reported. No injuries were reported. The bus sustained heavy damage.


    Media materials

    News release

    2020-01-07

    Investigation report: August 2019 crossing collision
    Read the news release


    Investigation information

    Map showing the location of the occurrence

    R19W0236

    Crossing collision
    Freight train 320-173
    City of Kenora transit bus
    Mile 3.15, Keewatin Subdivision
    Kenora, Ontario

    Investigator-in-charge

    Image
    Photo of Jerry Berriault

    Mr. Berriault has been with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) since 2007. He is a senior regional investigator, Central Region, based out of the Winnipeg, Manitoba, office.

    Among other responsibilities, he has been the Investigator-in-charge of eight rail accident investigations and served as a team member in a number of other investigations throughout Canada providing operational and technical expertise.

    Before joining the TSB, Mr. Berriault held numerous positions with Canadian National Railway (CN) from 1980 until 2007, including superintendent of operations. While at CN, he gained extensive knowledge of all aspects of train operations, including both the mechanical and engineering functions.


      Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.

    Class of investigation

    This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 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.