A woman who was suffering flu-like symptoms was found dead on a Via Rail passenger train early Saturday morning in northern Ontario.
The company said the train, travelling between Vancouver and Toronto, made a stop near Parry Sound, Ont. at approximately 5 a.m. after four passengers onboard were showing symptoms of the flu.
Emergency crews boarded the train and confirmed that one of the passengers, described as elderly, had died.
Three other passengers were transported to hospital for treatment, Via Rail said in a statement.
All the passengers who were taken to hospital were not suffering from life-threatening illnesses, said Sgt. Rick MacKay from the West Parry Sound detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.
The two rooms on the train that were occupied by the affected passengers were quarantined and will be sterilized, Via Rail said.
The train was delayed for several hours as authorities investigated.
The train left Vancouver on Dec. 25 and was scheduled to arrive in Toronto at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. It arrived in Toronto shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday.
The train had 200 passengers and 13 crew members onboard.
Health officials said it’s not believed that crew members or other passengers were exposed to those who were taken off the train.
The Ontario Provincial Police said the woman’s identity is being withheld until family members are notified.
