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A coroner’s inquest examining a tragic bus accident in Ottawa in 2019 is nearing its conclusion, as the jury deliberates on recommendations designed to avert similar incidents in the future.
This inquest is focused on the shocking deaths of Judy Booth, Bruce Thomlinson, and Anthonia Van Beek, who lost their lives when an OC Transpo double-decker bus veered off the road and crashed into a shelter at the Westboro transit station on January 11, 2019.
During the past three weeks, the jury has heard testimonies from a range of witnesses, including transit safety experts as well as representatives from Transport Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and the City of Ottawa.
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On Friday, various stakeholders in the inquest presented their final arguments, and today, the jury received guidance on deliberations from the presiding officer. Coroner’s inquest juries are tasked with uncovering the circumstances surrounding fatalities rather than apportioning blame or legal accountability. Their primary goal is to clarify how the deaths occurred and to propose measures that could prevent future tragedies.
These proceedings underline the importance of addressing safety concerns in public transportation, and the recommendations that emerge may play a crucial role in shaping policies to enhance transit safety across the region.
Source
globalnews.ca