Trespassing
Canadian Pacific
North Toronto Subdivision near Mississauga
The occurrence
On , shortly after 0115 Eastern Daylight Time, 2 teenagers climbed onto slow-moving westbound Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) freight train 651-796 (train 651) at the Howland Avenue grade-separated crossing in Toronto, Ontario. Once the train gained speed, they were unable to get off as they had planned at a nearby crossing. About 20 miles further, in Mississauga, Ontario, the train decelerated, and both teenagers jumped off at the Wolfedale Road public crossing and sustained injuries. Shortly thereafter, at about 0150, westbound Canadian Pacific Railway freight train 141-17 (train 141), while proceeding at 23 mph, struck one of the teenagers who had remained on the right-of-way, causing additional serious injuries. Both were taken to hospital for treatment.
Safety communications
Safety advisories
Rail Safety Advisory Letter 02/18: Deterrence of trespassing activity on railway property
Media materials
News Releases
Injuries sustained by teenagers after jumping from a moving train highlights need for greater awareness of personal safety risks
Read the news release
Investigation information
R18T0058
Trespassing
Canadian Pacific
North Toronto Subdivision near Mississauga
Investigator-in-charge
Nathalie Lepage has been with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) for over 25 years. She was appointed to her current position in 2011.
Ms. Lepage is a certified train conductor and brings on board extensive experience in TSB investigation processes and communications. She has been investigator-in-charge of several rail accident investigations, and acted as resource person and spokesperson on many other TSB investigations. She graduated in 1992 from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor's degree.
Download high-resolution photos from the TSB Flickr page.
Class of investigation
This is a class 3 investigation. These investigations analyze a small number of safety issues, and may result in recommendations. Class 3 investigations are generally completed within 450 days. For more information, see the Policy on Occurrence Classification.
TSB investigation process
There are 3 phases to a TSB investigation
- Field phase: a team of investigators examines the occurrence site and wreckage, interviews witnesses and collects pertinent information.
- Examination and analysis phase: the TSB reviews pertinent records, tests components of the wreckage in the lab, determines the sequence of events and identifies safety deficiencies. When safety deficiencies are suspected or confirmed, the TSB advises the appropriate authority without waiting until publication of the final report.
- Report phase: a confidential draft report is approved by the Board and sent to persons and corporations who are directly concerned by the report. They then have the opportunity to dispute or correct information they believe to be incorrect. The Board considers all representations before approving the final report, which is subsequently released to the public.
For more information, see our Investigation process page.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates air, marine, pipeline, and rail transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.