Woman dies in van-train crash

A 53-year-old Perth East mother of five was killed Tuesday morning when her minivan was struck by a Via Rail passenger train near her home on Forest Road.

The woman failed to stop her minivan before the train crossing while the lights and signals were activated and entered onto the tracks, Perth OPP report. Jagjit Dhindsa died at the scene.

Just after 9 a.m. Perth County OPP responded to the accident. The Ford minivan was northbound on Forest Road when the collision occurred. The minivan was struck by an eastbound VIA Rail train carrying about 100 passengers.

The van was pushed down the track for about 100 metres being going off into the ditch. The train travelled another 400 metres before it came to a stop.

The initial impact of the collision killed the driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner. No other injuries were reported in the incident and the train’s passengers were taken to Kitchener by bus.

OPP were assisted by the Stratford Police Service, Stratford and Shakespeare fire departments, local EMS and Victim Services of Perth County. Goderich Exeter Railway and VIA Rail officials were also on the scene.

Forest Road was closed for about six hours while police conducted their investigation.