Three crew member fatalities; numerous passengers injured - VIA expresses condolences - VIA operations update for Monday
MONTREAL, Feb. 26, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada has issued an update with respect to VIA Rail Canada train number 92, en route from Niagara Falls to Toronto, that was involved in an accident at approximately 3:30pm local time today in Burlington, Ontario.
There were 75 passengers and five crew members on board the train at the time of the accident. There were numerous injuries to passengers and three fatalities, all VIA crew members who were in the locomotive at the time of the accident.
"This was truly a tragic accident. All of us at VIA send our thoughts and prayers to the family members of our employees who lost their lives today, and to those passengers who were injured," said Marc Laliberté, VIA's president and chief executive officer. "We have already begun to investigate the accident in order to determine the cause or causes, and will leave no stone unturned. We will be working in concert with local authorities and CN, the track owner, and we will of course be offering our full collaboration to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada in its inquiry."
There were one locomotive and five cars on the train, all of which derailed.
Three passengers were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries. 42 other passengers and one crew members were taken by ambulance to local hospitals.
VIA provided alternate transportation to all other passengers to Toronto, the train's destination.
Anyone seeking information about passengers who may have been on this train may call a special number set up for this purpose, at 1-888-842-6141.
Other VIA trains on the Toronto-Niagara Falls and Toronto-London-Windsor routes are affected due to the tracks being blocked at the scene of the accident. Where necessary, VIA will either detour trains over alternate tracks or provide bus transportation. Passengers travelling in southwestern Ontario tonight or Monday can check on the status of their train at 1-888-VIA-RAIL (888-842-7245) or at viarail.ca.
Malcolm Andrews
514 871-6604
[email protected]
Michelle Lamarche
514 871-6137
[email protected]
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