The widow of Ottawa bus driver Dave Woodard, who was killed along with five of his passengers in a crash with a Via Rail train Wednesday, says her husband would never have put riders in jeopardy.

Terry Woodard told Robyn Bresnahan, host of CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning, on Thursday morning that she heard about the crash while at work and immediately thought of her husband, a 10-year OC Transpo worker.

"He didn't answer his cell," she said. "Because he was driving, I left him a message for him to call me back. He never did."

Woodard, 45, was driving the bus that collided with a Via Rail passenger train that left Montreal and was headed west towards Toronto. More than 30 people were also injured in the crash just before 9 a.m. ET.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson called it the worst bus crash in Ottawa's history.

Terry Woodard said she went to The Ottawa Hospital later Wednesday, and that's when it was confirmed David had died.

"Very shocking. He's my prince. I lost my prince," she said, fighting back her tears.

"He's the greatest man ever — the greatest father, stepdad, grandpa. He always put a smile on my face in the 25 years we were together."

Dave Woodard was killed when the OC Transpo bus he was driving collided with a Via Rail passenger train Wednesday morning. (Facebook)

Terry Woodard celebrated her birthday on Tuesday, and her husband had surprised her with flowers and balloons at work, she said.

The couple had been together for 25 years, and their daughter is 18, she said. David also had two stepsons.

Terry Woodard also said her husband loved his job, adding he had told her stories about passengers bringing him cards and cookies, and he was always smiling.

She also said her husband was healthy and everything was normal the morning before the crash.

"Something had to go wrong because he's an amazing driver," she said. "He's a very careful driver. He would never put anybody in jeopardy.