6 Dead, 30 Injured After Double-Decker Bus Hits Train In Ottawa

A double-decker city bus crashed into a train in the Ottawa area this morning, killing six people and sending 30 others to the hospital.

Officials offered no theories on what may have caused the crash, but a witness told City News Toronto the OC Transpo bus appeared to drive through a lowered crossing barrier, saying "He just keep going like that. Then he get hit."

The front end of the public commuter bus was sheared off and the Via Rail commuter train derailed.

Of the six deceased, five were pronounced dead on the scene. 31 people were sent to four area hospitals. 11 were in serious condition, and one died subsequently, an official said in a press conference.

Police have secured the scene and established a family reunification center. They will assist the Transportation Safety Board in its investigation into the cause of the crash. The mayor of Ottawa said the city's flags will be lowered to half mast.

Photos from the scene show the bus in gruesome shape:

#BREAKING Multiple fatalities in collision between @VIA_Rail train & #Ottawa @OC_Transpo bus http://t.co/TDuSgL5zsA pic.twitter.com/oiOpLouQWh

- Jane Brown (@JaneBrown_AM740) September 18, 2013

CBW Ottawa tweeted out a user photo of the bus from behind:

User photo. RT @ohpinion8ted: It ain't good. People definitely injured or worse. #ottnews #ottawa pic.twitter.com/eJYH0UZQsx

- CBC Ottawa (@CBCOttawa) September 18, 2013

Photographer Jean Labelle posted this photo:

#otttraffic Train hit double-decker bus. Injuries involved #Ottawa pic.twitter.com/Qkflvn0QFA

- Labelle Photo (@Labelle_Photo) September 18, 2013