A double decker transit bus collided with a passenger train at a crossing in a suburb of Canada's capital on Wednesday, causing "multiple deaths," according to local media.

Ottawa fire department spokesman Marc Messier told broadcaster CTV at least five bus passengers were killed.

Up six others were injured, he said.

Canadian broadcasters showed images of the front of the bus sheered off and the train derailed.

Witnesses recounted bus passengers being thrown from the bus.