'It will be generations before we forget': Vigil marks bus crash anniversary - Action News
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Ottawa

'It will be generations before we forget': Vigil marks bus crash anniversary

Holding electric candles under the shelter at Westboro station, about 20 people silently markedthe exact moment one year ago that a double-deckerOC Transpo bus crashed into the shelter's overhang killing three people and injuring at least 23 others.

Difficult to move on while so many questions remain, says councillor

Two mourners hold each other at a vigil marking one year since a fatal bus crash at Ottawa's Westboro station. Three people were killed and at least 23 injured in the Jan. 11, 2019 crash. The cause is not yet known. (Amanda Pfeffer/CBC)

Holding electric candles under the shelter at Westboro station, about 20 people silently marked the exact moment one year ago that a double-decker OC Transpo bus crashed into the shelter's overhang killing three people and injuring at least 23 others.

They stood next to a makeshift memorial, comprised of flowers and notes with messages like "You are missed and will be forever loved," and "Remembering my bus buddy, Bruce. I will never forget you."

The memorial at Westboro station was filled with cards and flowers from people paying tribute to those who lost their lives one year ago. (Amanda Pfeffer/CBC)

"We're here to remember BruceThomlinson, Judy Booth, and AnjaVanBeek, who were killed," Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leipertold the group.

"I know that we are joined in thoughts and prayers from people right across the city, because something like this absolutely affects an entire city. And it will be generations before we forget the events of one year ago."

Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper says many questions remain about what happened on the afternoon of Jan. 11, 2019, making it hard to move on. (Amanda Pfeffer/CBC)

'Meaningful and moving'

Patrick Ridgenstood with his friends, holding his own electronic candle.

"I think it is meaningfuland moving," said Ridgen, who works around the corner from the station and uses it every day to commute.

Hesaid while the crash left him feeling uneasy, the vigil offered some solace.

"It helps to process it and to see that other people care too about what happened."

Patrick Ridgen works around the corner from Westboro station and uses the Transitway to commute. He said attending Saturday's vigil helps him process what happened there one year ago. (Amanda Pfeffer/CBC)

Before the momentof silence, several people who were there to add flowers and cards became emotional, shedding a few tears as they read the notes.

Gary Ludington, the president of the Westboro Community Association, said the community organized the vigil to show solidarity with those most affected.

"Most of the people were from Kanata and that area.[So this is]just to let them know that we're still thinking of them. And we'd just like to express our sympathy," said Ludington.

Gary Ludington, chair of the Westboro Community Association, said they organized Saturday's vigil to show those affected that the city is thinking of them. (Amanda Pfeffer/CBC)

Hard to understand

Leipertold the group the incident will remain difficult to get beyond without more understanding of what happened.

"We're all frustrated by how long its going to take to learn what happened," said Leiper in his speech.

"But as we struggle to deal with that and continue to grieve, I'm glad that we can do it together."

A note attached to a red rose says 'you will be missed and forever loved'
A rose and a note are left at Westboro station to remember each of the three people who died one year ago in a bus crash. Commuters BruceThomlinson, Judy Booth, and AnjaVanBeek were killed that day. (Amanda Pfeffer/CBC)

There are several investigations underway, including a coroner's inquest and a a criminal proceeding against the driver,Aissatou Diallo.

Diallo's trial on multiple charges ofdangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm won't begin before the spring of 2021.

"There's no finding [yet] that says this is what happened," said Leiper.

"And until that finding until someone can tell us what exactly happened Idon'tthink we will be able to fully process it. I don't think we'll be able to get that closure that's so important to get."

A note to Bruce Thomlinson, one of the three people who died Jan. 11, 2019, when a double-decker bus crashed into the overhang of a bus shelter at the Westboro station. (Amanda Pfeffer/CBC)