Ottawa faces second lawsuit over fatal bus-train crash

A survivor of the fatal crash between an OC Transpo bus and Via Rail train has launched a $800,000 lawsuit against the City of Ottawa and the estate of the bus driver.

• Bus crash victim's family sues bus driver, City of Ottawa 
• Bus driver Dave Woodard had clean record before fatal crash
• Ottawa bus-train crash kills 6 in commuting horror

Six people, including the driver, were killed when a double-decker OC Transpo bus crashed into an oncoming Via Rail passenger train at a rail crossing in September.

Humanyun Sharif survived the crash but detailed in a statement of claim how he was disfigured. He claims he suffered "serious and permanent personal injuries" to his head, neck, back, shoulders, legs, knees, ankles, feet, arms and hands.

Sharif, his wife and his two children filed a lawsuit claiming that the City of Ottawa and the bus driver Dave Woodard were negligent.

Sharif was seated on the bus when it crashed around 8:45 a.m. on Sept. 18, according to the statement of claim.

He alleges in the claim that Woodard was speeding, failed to remain alert and ignored the "clearly visible" warning of the approaching train. Woodard is also accused of driving while distracted, possibly by a cellphone, and being "impaired by drugs, alcohol, fatigue or stress or some combination thereof." 

The City of Ottawa is accused of failing to ensure Woodard received proper training and failing to properly maintain the bus.

None of these allegations has been proven in court.

The family of a man killed in the crash is also suing the city and Woodard's estate for alleged negligence. Michael Bleakney's family argue in a statement of claim that they are owed $1.8 million for loss of care, guidance and companionship.

Karen Krzyzewski, Rob More and Carleton University students Connor Boyd and Kyle Nash were also killed in the crash.