Our hearts go out to the family of Judith Ferrufino Martínez, the two other families who lost loved ones, and everyone affected by last week’s deadly Calgary Transit bus fire.
Ferrufino Martínez was a wife and a mother of two. A GoFundMe identifies her as one of three passengers killed in the Oct. 15 crash near Saddletowne station in northeast Calgary.
Now that fundraiser is helping the husband and two children she leaves behind.
As of Tuesday afternoon, it had raised $5,280 from 90 donations, toward a goal of $6,500.
Calgary police say all three victims have been identified and their families notified. Police haven’t released any names. Ferrufino Martínez’s name comes from the fundraiser, not from police.
A family facing life without Judith
The fundraiser describes Ferrufino Martínez as “a beloved wife, devoted mother, and cherished person whose life was tragically taken too soon.”
The money will help cover essential expenses as her husband cares for their two children.
“We know that no amount of money can replace Judith,” the organizer wrote.
The campaign also asks people who can’t donate to share it.
The GoFundMe was started three days ago. It lists an organizer based in Calgary and a named beneficiary who will receive the funds. No further details about the children have been shared.
What happened on Saddletowne Circle
The crash happened around 1:10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, on Saddletowne Circle N.E. near 80 Avenue N.E. in Saddle Ridge.
Police say a northbound Calgary Transit bus hit a truck, setting off a chain of collisions with several other vehicles. The bus then crashed into the back of a second Calgary Transit bus.
The natural-gas tanks on that second bus ignited.
“Within seconds, the fire intensified resulting in an explosion and significant fire inside the bus,” police said.
All three people who died were passengers on the second bus.
The Calgary Fire Department declared a mass casualty incident. Crews cut a trapped driver free. Firefighters found the three victims while searching the bus.
16 hurt, one driver with life-altering injuries
Police have updated the injury count since the day of the crash.
Sixteen people had minor injuries, police say. That includes an officer who’s now recovering at home.
The driver of the first bus was taken to hospital with life-altering injuries. The driver of the second bus got out.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is investigating the deaths.
Police still looking for passengers
In an Oct. 19 update, Calgary police said several passengers likely left the scene before talking to investigators.
Police want to hear from anyone who was on either bus. Call the traffic section at 403-428-4000.
Anyone else with information can call 403-266-1234, or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or calgarycrimestoppers.org.
Still no cause
Police haven’t determined whether speed, impairment or driver distraction contributed to the crash.
Investigators are also looking at how the natural-gas tanks on the second bus ignited and how the fire spread.
Calgary Transit is running its own internal review. No charges have been announced.
How to help
The fundraiser for Ferrufino Martínez’s family is on GoFundMe: Help Judith’s Family After Her Tragic Loss.
Anyone affected by the crash, including people who saw it, can get free support from the Calgary Police Victim Assistance Support Team at 403-428-8398 or 1-888-327-7828.
Anyone who’s struggling can call or text 9-8-8 at any time.
Sources
Calgary Police Service via City of Calgary Newsroom, “Three deceased following multi-vehicle collision,” Oct. 16, 2026: https://newsroom.calgary.ca/three-deceased-following-multi-vehicle-collision/
Calgary Police Service via City of Calgary Newsroom, passenger appeal, Oct. 19, 2026: https://newsroom.calgary.ca/police-seeking-bus-passengers-after-fatal-collision/
Calgary Fire Department via City of Calgary Newsroom: https://newsroom.calgary.ca/calgary-fire-department-highlights-multi-agency-response-to-fatal-transit-bus-collision-and-fire/
GoFundMe, “Help Judith’s Family After Her Tragic Loss”: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-judiths-family-after-her-tragic-loss
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