Woman, 79, dies after being hit by garbage truck

Montreal sidewalk death renews cries for banning trucks with poor visibility

A 79-year-old woman has died after being hit by a garbage truck in Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood.

It happened just before 9 a.m. at the corner of Parc Avenue and St-Joseph Boulevard.

The truck driver, a 54-year-old man, was treated for shock, Montreal police say. A spokesperson said it's too early to say if there will be charges laid.

According to witnesses, the garbage truck was exiting an alley on the south side of the intersection. When it turned north on Parc, it hit the pedestrian, who was on the sidewalk.

Parc is now closed between Mont-Royal Avenue and St-Joseph for the police investigation.

The woman has not been identified. Police originally said she was in her 80s.

This is the first pedestrian death in Montreal this year.

Luc Ferrandez, the mayor of Plateau-Mont-Royal, said the borough would examine what happened and make changes if necessary.

"We will analyze this intersection very precisely to see if something can be done," he said, noting that both St-Joseph and Parc are busy arteries.