The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 23 February 2018.
Crossing collision
Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 142-12
Mile 121.36, Belleville Subdivision
Colborne, Ontario
The occurrence
On , at about 0732 Eastern Standard Time, Canadian Pacific Railway freight train 142-12, travelling eastward on the Belleville Subdivision, struck a school bus that was immobilized at the Town Line Road public crossing at Mile 121.36 of the Belleville Subdivision, near Colborne, Ontario. The crossing was equipped with flashing lights and a bell. Prior to the collision, the school bus driver and 2 occupants exited the bus and were standing a safe distance away. The bus and the signal mast on the north side were destroyed. The locomotive sustained minor damage. There were no injuries.
Media materials
News releases
A combination of factors played a role in 2017 crossing collision between a school bus and a train near Colborne, Ontario
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys a team of investigators following a railway crossing accident near Colborne, Ontario
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying a team of investigators following a railway crossing accident near Colborne, Ontario. The TSB is gathering information and assessing the occurrence.
Investigation information
R17H0015
Crossing collision
Canadian Pacific Railway
Freight train 142-12
Mile 121.36, Belleville Subdivision
Colborne, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Ken Miller joined the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in 2002 and has been a senior investigator with the Rail and Pipeline Investigations Branch since 2004. During that time he has participated in more than 50 investigations while also performing the duties of standards and performance specialist.
Before joining the TSB, Mr. Miller worked for consulting companies in the resource sector providing geological expertise. In this capacity, he was responsible for the development, management and successful completion of exploration projects.
Mr. Miller’s education credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Sciences from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Toronto, Ontario.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.