Child Killed In Guelph Via Rail Collision
Posted March 11, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
An already tragic story has taken an even more tragic turn.
A collision between a car and a VIA passenger train near Guelph Sunday afternoon has claimed the life of a child.
The reports suggest it was a nine or 10-year-old that was pronounced dead at the scene. The other passengers in the car – two women – were airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital where they’re listed in critical condition. No names have been released.
The collision happened at about 12:20pm at a level crossing near Speedvale Ave. West and 3rd Township Rd. and the car was sent flying 70 metres after impact.
“At this point, it is way too early to speculate on the cause,” said Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Dave Rektor. “We have our technical collision investigators on scene. They will determine what the cause was, and once that information is available, we will certainly release the cause of this crash.”
Police did say the Toyota Corolla failed to stop at a railway crossing near Woolwich-Guelph Townline – a rural area bordered by cornfields and farms – but would not comment on whether speed was a factor.
“The impact in situations like that are always tremendous,” Sgt. Rektor admitted. “It is a no-win situation in most cases for occupants of the vehicle, and certainly, the condition of the train (passengers) as well is always a concern, because it is quite a serious trauma for them, too.”
According to a spokesperson from VIA Rail, none of the 124 passengers on the train were injured. After a nearly three-hour delay they were bused or cabbed to their destination. The train was bound for Sarnia from Toronto.
“I was just on the train sleeping, dozing off and then all I see is us just kind of nick a car and it went spinning around, flying,” said one passenger.
“It was pretty crazy, actually.”
Conditions were optimal at the time of the accident, and the warning lights were apparently flashing. However the crossing was not the type that had barrier arms.
“It’s pretty amazing that, I think the largest percentage of our accidents happen on a nice, sunny day when roads are clear,” said OPP Sgt. Joe Piccione.
“Whether or not that had something to do with it, I don’t know.”
There have been no delays reported since the accident for Via trains.
