Memorial for bus crash victims in the works

The remembrance of one of Ottawa's largest tragedies has begun.

A moment of silence was held at Ottawa Transit Commission to remember the six people killed on September 18, 2013, when an OC Transpo bus collided with a VIA Rail passenger train.

Commission Chair Diane Deans says September 18 was one of "the darkest days of my life." She announced that the City of Ottawa will be following the wishes of the victims' families to simply lower all city flags at half-mast to mark the tragedy's one-year anniversary.

The OC Transpo family says it will be remembering that tragic day in their own way. Craig Watson, President of Amalgamated Transit Union 279, says many drivers will be wearing shorts and green in tribute of driver Dave Woodard.

"The drivers, it will all be fresh in their minds again, it was a terrible day we all suffered through," says Watson.

He says drivers will also attempts to pull their buses over at 8:47 a.m., the exact time of the crash, for a quick moment of silence and reflection. Support staff will also be made available to OC Transpo employees.

The Transportation Safety Board says it will be delivering a progress update on their investigation, next week. Watson doesn't believe there will be answers in the update, but a better indication of when those results may be available.

A permanent memorial is being discussed with the families of the victims. Both Deans and Watson say their input will be the driving force behind the project. Watson says some possible locations include Fallowfield Station where the crash occured or a nearby park in Barrhaven.

"Somewhere the families can go spend time and reflect, or anybody could," says Watson.

CTV News Ottawa will be marking the one-year anniversary of the tragedy on our newscast on September 18, 2014 at 6 p.m. Stories will include the latest on the investigation, stories of the survivors, and how this tragic event has changed our city one year later.