'I'm still here': Bus crash survivor thankful he made it out alive

It started outas a bus ridelike any other, CraigBeatonsays.

The 30-year-oldwas one of dozens of OC Transpo passengers heading home to Kanataon Jan. 11 when theirdouble-decker slammed into a shelter at Westboro station.

Three people were killed in the Transitway crashand 23 more were injured,including Beaton, who'd picked out a seat on the top levelof the bus, about halfway backthe same side that struck the shelter's overhang.

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"I was just sitting there, had my headphones in, watching videos onYouTube. It seemed like everything was normal a normal day," he told CBC News on Friday, from his recovery room at the Ottawa Hospital's Civic campus.

"And then there was a big jolt."

'Could not move at all'

Thejoltwas followed by the bus smashing into the station,Beatonsaid. The next thing heknew, he was pinned between the seats, his fellow passengers yelling in agony.

"There was nothing I could do,"Beatonsaid. "I could not move at all."

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Most of the riderson the other side of the bus weren't trapped,Beaton said, and manywere trying to help free thosewho couldn't get out.

Beaton said he was in shock and sweating profusely.

"I was just trying to concentrate on breathing, on not passing out. My legs were in so much pain," Beaton said. "I was scared. I thought I was going to lose my legs due to the lack of circulation."

2 broken legs

When first responders arrived, Beaton said, they started trying to cut through the benchesto free passengers. Eventually he was freed, placedin an ambulance and rushed to the emergency room.

Doctors told him he'd broken two bones in his left legand one in his right.

One week later, both of his legsare still in casts and Beaton saidhe has no idea how long his recovery will take.

"I walk a little bit more every day. So I'm getting there," Beaton said. "I'm still here, so I'm thankful for that."

While hisphysical recovery is slowly progressing, Beaton said his emotional recovery remains "frustrating." There are days, he said, where he'll be reading the news or working with thephysiotherapist and he'll just break down.

The Ottawa Police Service, the Transportation Safety Board of Canadaand various other agencies are now investigating the rush-hour crash.

When asked if he noticed anything wrong before the collision, Beaton saidnothing stood out.

"Everything," he said, "just seemed like a normal day."