Child hit by transport truck in Etobicoke, hospitalized
An 11-year-old boy is in critical condition after being hit by the driver of a transport truck in north Etobicoke Friday morning, Toronto police say.
According to investigators, the incident happened in the area of Albion Road and Elmhurst Drive around 8:52 a.m.
"It's an incident like this that strikes a community and strikes a chord. It reminds us of how critical road safety truly is," Duty Insp. Jeff Bangild told reporters at the scene.
"I'm sure this is going to impact the child's school, his family and the community at large."
The driver of the truck was going north on Albion Road when the child was struck as he was trying to cross the road, Bangild said.
The driver of the truck stopped, and the boy was rushed to the Hospital for Sick Children where he is in critical condition. Investigators are now in the early stages of figuring out exactly what happened.
"We've had a number of people that have come forward that have provided us with information, including video of the actual incident that occurred," Bangild said. The truck is also being examined mechanically to investigate how it was operating when the boy was hit, he added.
Victim services are now being offered to both the victim and his family, as well as the driver, Bangild said.
"Like anybody can well appreciate … striking a child with their vehicle, at fault or not, the fact that they're involved in that would be extremely traumatizing," he said.
Folusho Abayomi, principal at The Elms Junior Middle School, said in a letter to parents sent Friday afternoon that the victim was a student at the school.
"Our thoughts are with the student and their family during this difficult time and we are hopeful for their full recovery," Abayomi wrote. "We understand a number of students witnessed this accident, and social work staff were at school today to support students and talk about what they saw or heard about the accident.
"These supports will continue to be available as long as needed."
Police say roads in the area will be closed for several hours for the investigation, and drivers are being asked to consider alternate routes.
