Driver rescued from flipped OC Transpo bus after south end collision

Ottawa firefighters rescued a bus driver after a crash between an OC Transpo bus and another vehicle Sunday night.

Shortly before 7:30 p.m., Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Leitrim and Bowesville Roads.

Firefighters located a city bus on its side in the ditch, while the other vehicle involved was still on the road.

OFS says there were less than 10 passengers on the bus who were able to exit the bus through the roof hatch but the driver was trapped inside.

Firefighters entered through the roof hatch to assess the driver before beginning the extrication process.

A reciprocating saw was used to cut out the windshield and the driver was safely extricated about 10 minutes after crews arrived on scene.

Firefighters also assisted the passengers into a fire truck to stay warm until a second OC Transpo bus arrived for shelter.

Crews spread absorbent on the leaking fluids and shut off the engine heater on the bus before clearing the scene.