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Family grieving death of bus crash victim Anja Van Beek

Family grieving death of bus crash victim Anja Van Beek

Anja Van Beek, 65, had finished work and was heading home to her family in Bridelwood Friday when the Route 269 bus she was on slammed into a shelter overhang at Westboro station.

Van Beek, who worked at the Treasury Board, leaves behind her husband and two daughters, as well as extended family in Ottawa, Toronto and the Netherlands.

She was one of three people, along with Bruce Thomlinson and Judy Booth, who lost their lives. Another 23 passengers were taken to hospital with various injuries.

Jane Philpott, who was announced as the new president of the Treasury Board and minister of Digital Government on Monday, spoke after her appointment about the deaths of the three public servants.

'It's just hit everybody'

"It's just hit everybody in a remarkable way," she told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning on Tuesday about the mood at Treasury Board.

"It's a time of grief for the department, particularly those who worked closely with Anja, and I absolutely want to extend my sincere sympathy to her family and friends and co-workers ... As people are coping with this tragic accident, I hope that they will reach out and share what they're feeling and ask for help if they need it."

CBC News reached out to Van Beek's family, who said they didn't want to comment at this time.

In a statement released by Ottawa police on Monday, her relatives said they are grieving and asked for privacy.