Two people are dead and two others are injured after being struck by a vehicle outside a B.C. mall on Tsawwassen First Nation lands Wednesday—a tragedy police suspect was caused by the driver suffering a “medical emergency.”
The incident unfolded during a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation walk, though the Delta Police Department said it was unrelated to that event.
“Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic incident,” the department said in a news release.
The collision happened in the parking lot of Tsawwassen Mills shortly before 10:30 a.m.
Witness Rafael Saenz told CTV News he didn’t see the crash, but saw several people on the ground in the immediate aftermath.
“I was literally 10 feet away from them,” Saenz said. “It was pretty traumatizing. I don’t know how to describe it but I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”
The witness said there were more than a dozen emergency vehicles at the scene and multiple helicopters overhead as paramedics performed CPR on some of the victims.
“There were people crying next to them,” Saenz said.
Police said there is no ongoing risk to public safety, and asked anyone with information or video taken around the time of the incident to come forward.
“The investigation remains in its early stages as officers work to determine all of the circumstances surrounding the collision,” the department added.
The crash prompted an emergency alert from the Tsawwassen First Nation, which was hosting a community walk in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Wednesday morning.
“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.”
The event began at 9:30 a.m. at the First Nation’s recreation centre, which is a short walk away from the Tsawwassen Mills parking lot.
“In addition to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation community walk, everyone is also invited to join us afterwards for a special House Post Unveiling,” reads a post on the nation’s Facebook page from earlier this week.
That event was scheduled for 10:15 a.m. at Tsawwassen Mills Entrance 3.
Federal Energy Minister Tim Hodgson was among the attendees, according to a post on social media post that has since been deleted.
The Tsawwassen First Nation issued a statement Wednesday afternoon extending “sincere gratitude to the Delta Police Department, emergency responders, and community members who assisted during the incident.”
