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FRIDAY • March 4 • 2022
VIA passenger train strikes and kills person in wheelchair at Jockvale crossing By Charlie Senack
A local resident in a wheelchair has died after being hit by a VIA Rail Train in Barrhaven. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Sat., Feb.12 at the tracks on Jockvale Road near Barrhaven United Church. The person, who has not been identified publicly, was declared deceased on the scene, according to Ottawa Police. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating, and while many details are still not known at this time, a passenger aboard the train told the Barrhaven Independent they were arriving back in Ottawa from Toronto when the train slammed hard on its brakes. “I didn’t really feel an impact but we did come to a relatively abrupt stop,” said
one passenger. “I did notice we were slowing down before the intersection and they were blowing on the horn.” The train passenger said they noticed several people exiting their vehicles and screaming as the train crossed Jockvale. According to eyewitnesses, the male involved in the collision was in a wheelchair and had a dog with him. The dog, a female golden retriever, was able to be saved and is with the March of Dimes. One passerby, who was driving down Jockvale moments before the incident occurred, got out of his truck and tried to save the man who reportedly had his wheelchair stuck in the tracks. Jockvale between Weybridge to Tartan Drive was closed for almost a day as
the investigation continued. The VIA train, with its passengers still on board, we’re delayed for about five hours before being able to leave the scene.
Longtime Safety Concerns
For well over two decades there have been renewed calls to make Jockvale Road safer for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly around the train tracks. Community groups have long called for an underpass to be built at the bike path, across the street from where the fatal incident occurred. In May 2019, a community meeting was held at the Walter Baker Centre to discuss the issue. The price tag for the project then was $6 million, which many said was too expensive. They
A person in a wheelchair was struck and killed by a VIA passenger train at the Jockvale Road crossing by Barrhaven United Church on the afternoon of Sat., Feb. 12. Charlie Senack photo
would have rather seen the funds be invested in other community projects, such as the Greenbank Road re-
alignment. City Council approved the design for the underpass, but did not hand over
any money for it to be built. It went no further.
train
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