A four-year-old boy has died and two women were injured after being hit by a bus near the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver, police said Wednesday.
Sgt. Chris Bigland with the West Vancouver Police Department said the boy was pronounced deceased at the scene. The boy’s mother and her friend were transported to hospital with the mother in critical condition.
Bigland said the investigation is dynamic and has many moving parts.
“This is a serious, life-changing event for the victims, their families, witnesses and many others.”
He expressed sympathy to those affected.
“The sudden death of a child is a uniquely tragic event, severely impacting the family, witnesses, first responders and the community as a whole.”
Police say they responded to a call of pedestrians “pinned under a bus” in Horseshoe Bay around 3:30 p.m. PT Wednesday.
Bigland said the investigation is in its early stages and a criminal offence has not been ruled out.
The bus driver, a TransLink employee, is currently being interviewed by police, he said.
Speed is not considered to be a factor, according to Bigland.
Police said the bus was seized for mechanical inspection.
West Vancouver police are asking the public for witness accounts, dashcam or other video footage in the area of Keith Road and Bay Street around 3:30 p.m. on May 28.
Mayor expresses condolences
B.C. Emergency Health Services told CBC News it received a call at 3:29 p.m. PT about a motor-vehicle incident in the 6700 block of Keith Road.
“One patient was transported to hospital in critical condition. The other patient was transported to hospital in stable condition,” it said in a statement.
West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager told CBC News there was a “very tragic accident” involving a bus.
“It’s a tragic situation, and I just want to express on behalf of my entire council our profound sadness,” Sager said.
“Our hearts go out to everybody impacted by this tragic event.”
⚠️<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestVan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#WestVan</a> – crews are tending to a vehicle incident in the area of Keith Rd and Bay St near the <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/HorseshoeBay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#HorseshoeBay</a> ferry terminal.<br>Follow traffic control. <a href=”https://t.co/iFSio9j8Xj”>pic.twitter.com/iFSio9j8Xj</a>
—@DriveBC
B.C. Ferries confirmed ferry service was not affected, but the company asked customers to plan with the crash in mind.
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn said the transit authority is heartbroken by the “tragic” event.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this devastating event,” he said in a statement.
He said TransLink is supporting the West Vancouver Police Department in its investigation.
