Beloved transit driver dies after he is pinned between 2 buses in Vancouver

A long-timebus driver who was hospitalized incritical conditionafter being pinned between two busesin downtown Vancouveron Monday has died.

Friends and family of Charanjit ParhartoldCBC that the experiencedbus driver had left his driver's seat toremovethe power poles connected to overhead wires to electrically power his busto allow another driver, who was running late, to pass.

That's when somehow Parharbecame pinned between two buses. The details of how and why that happened remain unclear, as the accident is under investigation by police and safety officials.

Parhar was in his mid-60s according to his brother Raja Parhar.

He described the loss of the devoted father and grandfather as "devastating" to the family.

Tilak Rahlsaid he knewParharfor 30 years they met in Punjab, innorthern India, before immigrating to Canada.

"He has a wife and three beautiful daughters. He was so happy and he always goes to play with the grandchildrenevery weekend. Hewas a hard working guy and so down to earth," said the deceased man's friend.

"It's a big loss. We are going to miss him too much," said Rahl.

He describedParharas an intelligent,community-minded man whohad previously worked as a welder and a taxi driver before becoming a bus driver.

Balbir Mann, president of Unifor Local 111, which represents more than4,000 Metro Vancouvertransit operators, said he worked with Parhar years ago. He described him as a "humble" and "caring" person.

"Twenty-one years on the job and always had a smile on his face for whoever he met throughout the whole day," said Mann. Parhar was treated by paramedics and transported to hospital with grave injuries and struggled to survive. Mann said confirmation of the driver's death elicited "profound sadness," and said that griefsupport will be available toother workers.

Mann said the "tragic accident" happened around 8:20 a.m. on West Cordova Street near Cambie Street and is under investigation by Vancouver Police and the WorkSafeBC.