Ottawa

Vigil today to mark 1 year since Westboro bus crash

A moment of silence will take place this afternoon at the OC Transpo station where a January 2019 bus crash killed three people and injured at least 23 others.

3 died when double-decker struck station overhang

One year later, looking back on the Westboro bus crash

5 years ago
Duration 3:00
As residents gather to mark one year since the fatal bus crash at Westboro station, here's a look back at the events of Jan. 11, 2019 and the days afterward.

A solemn vigil will be held this afternoon to mark one year since three people died and at least 23 were injured in an OC Transpo bus crash at Westboro station.

The vigil will get underway at 3:30 p.m. on the westbound platform, near where the bus struck the station's overhang on Jan. 11, 2019, during the afternoon commute home.

There will be a moment of silence on the platform at 3:50 p.m., almost the precise time the crash occurred.

"It's just something we're doing to show our respect and condolences involved," said Gary Ludington, chair of the Westboro Community Association.

Survivors, family members invited

Ludington said the vigil will provide the opportunity for gatherers to say a few words about the "devastating" crash.

Survivors and their family members have been invited, he said, as has Kanata South Coun. Allan Hubley, who chairs the city's transit commission and whose ward was home to many of the passengers.

The community association held a similar vigil last winter, shortly after the crash, Ludington added.

'[We] felt we should be doing something again to mark the anniversary. Because it was quite a momentous event, I guess, in our history."