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Mangled wreckage: Rescue workers at the scene. – AP /The Canadian Press

OTTAWA – A passenger train and a bus collided at a crossing in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, during Wednesday’s morning rush-hour, resulting in “multiple fatalities”, according to local police.Witnesses said the front of the double-decker bus was ripped off by the impact with the Via Rail train.

Ottawa fire spokesman Mark Messier told CP24 television there were “multiple fatalities” and several bus passengers injured. Messier says there were no injuries on the train.

The accident happened outside a suburban train station in the city’s west end.Ottawa Fire Services spokesman Marc Messier told CTV News the initial estimate was that five people had been killed.

Pascal Lolgis, who witnessed the crash, said the bus appeared to drive through a lowered crossing barrier.

“Boom! It went into the train like that,” Lolgis said. “He just didn’t stop.”

Another witness, Mark Cogan, said the rail barrier was down.

“The train is going through,” Cogan said. “And I was just looking around, just watching things happen. And noticed that in the bus lane, the double-decker bus … I saw him, and he just kept going.

“I just thought maybe there’s a side way around or something, but instantly, he just … he smoked the train. He went through the guard rail and just hammered the train, and then it was mayhem.”

The walking wounded were taken to a second bus nearby to be treated by paramedics.

The train tracks in the area cross both a major city street and a transit line reserved for buses.

The Ontario prime minister, Kathleen Wynne, posted a message on Twitter: “Thinking of all families affected by horrible accident in Ottawa. Thanks to first responders on the scene.” – AP.