Two dead after VIA train travelling to Toronto from Windsor hit car

Luggage is unloaded from a Via Rail train in St. Marys, Ont., on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.

A VIA passenger train travelling towards Toronto from Windsor hit a vehicle in its path, killing two people.

The train, which departed Windsor at about 9 a.m. Monday, struck the vehicle in Strathroy, just outside of Chatham.

Ontario Provincial Police said a grey car – a Ford – was travelling south when it collided with the train at around 10:30 a.m.

Chris Bellamy, one of 88 passengers inside the train, told CTV Toronto that he didn’t hear the train sound its horn before the crash occurred. But he heard the collision and immediately smelled a strong odour of gas after the train hit the car.

VIA Rail spokesperson Malcolm Andrews said no passengers or crew members were injured and that police are continuing to investigate what led to the collision.

Passengers, he added, were moved to a safe location on the train as a precaution after passengers reported smelling gasoline.

No damage was found to the train's fuel line or tank during an inspection.

"As per standard protocol, replacements for the locomotive engineers are being sent to the train," the statement concluded.

The train, which was scheduled to arrive in Toronto at around 1 p.m. was delayed by several hours.