Update: The TSB has completed this investigation. The report was published on 11 September 2018.
Crossing accident
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Passenger train No. 85
Mile 57, Guelph Subdivision
Breslau, Ontario
The occurrence
On , a VIA Rail passenger train struck a delivery truck at a public crossing at Mile 57 on the Guelph Subdivison near the city of Breslau, Ontario. The lone occupant of the truck was fatally injured.
Media materials
News releases
Investigation report: February 2018 crossing accident in Breslau, Ontario
Read the news release
Deployment notice
TSB deploys an investigator to a railway crossing accident in Kitchener, Ontario
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is deploying an investigator to a crossing accident involving a Via Rail passenger train in Kitchener, Ontario. The TSB is gathering information and assessing the occurrence.
Investigation information
R18T0032
Crossing accident
VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Passenger train No. 85
Mile 57, Guelph Subdivision
Breslau, Ontario
Investigator-in-charge
Robert Bruder joined the Transportation Safety Board in September of 2013 as Regional Senior Investigator Rail/Pipeline at the TSB's Toronto office. Mr. Bruder has an extensive background in railway operations and risk management garnered over a 36-year career with CN Rail. He managed CN's Risk Management Department for Eastern Canada from 2004 to 2013, and was extensively involved in development and implementation of CN's safety management system, accident/injury investigation, analysis and cause-finding processes, as well as derailment emergency response and mitigation.
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Class of investigation
This is a class 4 investigation. These investigations are limited in scope, and while the final reports may contain limited analysis, they do not contain findings or recommendations. Class 4 investigations are generally completed within 220 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.