Two dead after vehicle strikes pedestrians at Tsawwassen Mills mall
Police say a driver may have had a medical emergency before hitting four people in the mall parking lot Wednesday morning.
TSAWWASSEN — Two people have died and two others were taken to hospital after a vehicle struck four pedestrians in the parking lot of Tsawwassen Mills mall on Wednesday morning.
The Delta Police Department said the collision happened around 10:25 a.m. PT. Preliminary information indicates the driver of the vehicle involved may have experienced a medical emergency prior to the collision.
"Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic incident," the police service said in a statement.
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The two injured individuals were treated at the scene by B.C. Emergency Health Services and transported to hospital. Police said there is no ongoing risk to public safety.
"There is no ongoing risk to public safety," the department said.
The incident occurred during a Truth and Reconciliation Walk on Tsawwassen First Nation lands, but police said the collision is unrelated to the event.
"The incident is not related to the Truth and Reconciliation Walk that was taking place on Tsawwassen First Nation lands at the time," the police statement said.
Tsawwassen First Nation confirmed the incident happened during the walk. "Emergency responders remain on site. We ask members of the public to avoid the area and allow responders to carry out their work," the nation said in a statement.
"Out of respect for Tsawwassen First Nation families and ongoing response efforts, we will not be providing additional details at this time," the statement added. "Further information will be shared when appropriate."
The nation extended its "sincere gratitude to the Delta Police Department, emergency responders, and community members who assisted during the incident."
Shortly before 11 a.m., a civil emergency alert was issued for a "critical" incident on Tsawwassen First Nation lands. "An incident is currently in progress that has ended our Truth & Reconciliation event," the alert said. "Participants are asked to walk back the way we came and stay out of the area."
First responders were seen near Montana's BBQ and Bar, located just off Highway 17 at the south end of the mall. A witness reported seeing 15 to 20 ambulances and about 15 other emergency vehicles at the scene, with two helicopters flying overhead. Yellow police tape was around the south end of the mall.
The area police asked the public to avoid includes the road to access the B.C. Ferries Tsawwassen terminal, one of two major points connecting the mainland to Vancouver Island.
Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson took part in the walk. His spokesperson, Charlotte Power, said the minister and his team were unhurt and unaware of what happened. She said they were taking part in a walk, which ended abruptly, and the incident was not near their group.
Police said the investigation remains in its early stages as officers work to determine all of the circumstances surrounding the collision. "The investigation remains in its early stages as officers work to determine all of the circumstances surrounding the collision," the department said.
With files from CityNews, CBC News and The Globe and Mail