Police say victim in Main Street crash Thursday was 49-year-old DARTS bus driver

Hamilton police say the victim from the crash on Main Street on Thursday is a 49-year-old DARTS bus driver.

DARTS is a non-profit service that provides accessible transit in the city.

Police say the bus driver stopped to pick up a passenger on Main Street West near Locke Street South at roughly 2 p.m. ET when a 75-year-old driving a 2012 Honda Civic left the road, hit a building and then the 49-year-old as she was exiting the bus.

Tina Sousa, DARTS executive assistant, said in a statement to CBC Hamilton that the driver was preparing to load a passenger into the vehicle when she was hit. No passengers were involved in the collision, Sousa added.

"The driver was a valued member of the DARTS family for over 19 years and will be missed. She touched the lives of many passengers and coworkers and the organization is grieving her loss. We send our condolences to her family and loved ones," Sousa said.

A witness who saw the crash described it as a "tornado"-like scene.

"It's disturbing," Richard Newsome told CBC Hamilton. "It's the worst accident I've seen."

The bus driver was taken to hospital and died of her injuries, and the 75-year-old Honda Civic driver was uninjured, police say.

CUPE Local 5167 said online that the bus driver was one of its members.

"It is with a heavy heart that we send our deepest condolences to the family and DARTS family," read the tweet.

Police said the Honda driver wasn't impaired and was released pending further investigation.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour said Thursday it had two inspectors visit the scene after receiving reports a worker had been hit by a vehicle. Its investigation is ongoing.

The crash prompted Ward 3 Coun. Nrinder Nann to tweet that she and Ward 1 Coun. Maureen Wilson are working on a motion to address Hamilton's "killer streets."

City councillors also voted on Wednesday to review recommendations in the Bay Area Climate Change Council 's report on how to make cycling, public transit and walking safer and more accessible.