THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER - A two-year-old girl is dead and her mother is in hospital in serious condition after the two were struck by a vehicle at a Vancouver intersection.
"The mother was making her way across the intersection pushing a stroller when the pair were struck by a truck making a right turn," said Vancouver Police Const. Jana McGuinness.
"Tragically, the child died at the scene. The mother was transported to hospital with very serious injuries but is expected to survive."
The driver of the flatbed truck was taken to the police station to be interviewed. McGuinness said that driver is co-operating with investigators.
She said it's too early in the investigation to speculate on any potential charges.
"The investigators will reconstruct the accident and they'll be able to determine more information but that takes some time," McGuinness said.
"Witness information is very important at this stage of the investigation so as they gather the different statements and go through them, a clearer picture will present itself."
Construction workers who saw the accident take place are being offered grief counselling. McGuinness said the accident left even the most senior of Vancouver police officers shaken.
"Anyone who has witnessed this incident today will be left with a very disturbing recollection," she said.
"Even the officers who are seasoned officers, deal with a lot of incidents, couldn't prepare themselves for this. No one can prepare themselves for something like this."
The accident occurred shortly after noon Wednesday and police are asking any witnesses who they have not yet spoken to to come forward.
