Child hit and killed by transit bus in Abbotsford
Posted December 1, 2017 11:38 am.
Last Updated December 1, 2017 4:36 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
ABBOTSFORD (NEWS 1130) – A nine-year-old girl has died after she was hit by a transit bus in the Fraser Valley this morning.
Police say they were called out at about 8:20 a.m. following reports of a collision around South Fraser Way and Hill Tout Street involving someone being hit in a crosswalk by a bus.
First responders rushed to the scene and transported the girl to the hospital where she died shortly after she arrived.
Police tape quickly surrounded the entire intersection, even before some businesses had opened. The lights of several police vehicles reflected off puddles on the rain-soaked road.
“The driver of the transit bus remained on scene and is cooperating with investigators,” says APD Sergeant Judy Bird. “At that time of morning it was still quite dark, as well as our weather conditions were very rainy. So, there were some visibility issues. But at this time, we’re in the very preliminary stages of investigation.”
Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement investigators have been photographing and inspecting the bus that was involved in the collision.
Jonathon Dyck with BC Transit says the driver was traumatized by what happened.
“The driver was with the police and cooperating with the police. Our main focus is on the family and friends of the girl… and we are extremely saddened to hear of her passing.”
“Our thoughts are also with the driver and other witnesses of the event,” he adds.
BC Transit President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Achadinha issued a short statement:
“BC Transit takes safety very seriously, and is cooperating fully with the Abbotsford Police Department, BC Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement, and other partners to investigate what occurred. BC Transit will also be conducting an internal investigation to determine if there are any additional measures that can be taken to prevent this type of incident from occurring in the future.”
Transportation Minister Claire Trevena has issued a short statement, offering her condolences.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the child who was struck and killed by a BC Transit bus early this morning in Abbotsford.”
The Abbotsford Police Department Major Crime Unit detectives, Collision Reconstructionists, Patrol Division officers and BC Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement Investigators are all investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to call the APD at 604-859-5225, to text APD at 222973 (abbypd) or call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477.
