Twin boys taken to hospital, 1 with life-threatening injuries, after being hit by vehicle in North York
Toronto police say twin boys were taken to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, after they were hit by a minivan in North York on Saturday morning.
Police said the boys, who were crossing the street by themselves in the direction of a nearby library, are nine years old but turning 10 this month.
One boy who suffered serious injuries was taken to local hospital, while the other who suffered life-threatening injuries was taken to a trauma centre downtown. The boy with serious injuries has since been upgraded to stable condition.
The parents of the twins are with the children at the hospital.
Const. Caroline de Kloet, spokesperson for Toronto Police Service, said police received a call about the incident at about 10:12 a.m. The children were hit near Sheppard Avenue West and Magellan Drive, an intersection east of Jane Street.
The minivan's driver, a 20-year-old woman, stayed at the scene.
Const. Clint Stibbe, spokesperson for Traffic Services with Toronto police, said the minivan, a Toyota Sienna, was travelling eastbound on Sheppard Avenue West, nearing Magellan Avenue, when it struck the boys.
Stibbe said police are looking at the actions of the driver and pedestrians as well as the speed of the vehicle. He said it appears the children were in the crosswalk area when they were hit.
He said the boys were on the west side of Magellan Drive, attempting to cross from the south to the north side of Sheppard Avenue West, at the time of the collision.
Officers reconstructed the collision as they gathered evidence. No charges have been laid.
Witnesses administered first aid
Police have questioned the driver, other drivers in the intersection at the time, and witnesses who administered first aid to the boys.
Stibbe said the minivan will undergo tests to check its ability to brake and accelerate. It was transporting two passengers at the time of the collision.
Police have since reopened Sheppard Avenue West, which was closed east of Jane Street to Yatescastle Drive.
There have been nine fatal collisions in Toronto so far this year, including four of which involved pedestrians.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1900, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
