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Tenth victim dies

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.

Toronto police say another person has died following an incident in which a van struck multiple pedestrians north of the city, bringing the death toll to 10.

Police Chief Mark Saunders says a suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The suspect is identified as Alek Minassian, a 25-year-old man from Richmond Hill, Ont.

Sixteen people were also injured in the incident, which occurred near the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue intersection around 1:30 p.m.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has called the incident a "horrific attack."


UPDATE: 1:55 p.m.

Toronto police say nine people are dead and 16 are injured after a van mounted a sidewalk in north Toronto, hitting pedestrians.

Police say the driver of the van has been arrested.

Deputy Chief Peter Yuen says the police force has mobilized "all available resources" as they investigate the incident.

Police are establishing two hotlines — one for victims and their families, and the other for witnesses to call in information related to the incident.

He says the matter is going to be a long investigation with multiple witnesses.


UPDATE: 1:20 p.m.

A least seven people are in hospital and more may be dead after a van mounted a sidewalk in north Toronto, crashing into of pedestrians.

Investigators did not immediately confirm fatalities, but eyewitnesses said bodies covered by blankets could be seen in the area. 

The Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre said it had seven patients from the scene in its trauma centre. It also said the hospital's emergency department had been locked down as an added precaution.

"I must have seen about five, six people being resuscitated by bystanders and by ambulance drivers," Zullo said. "It was awful. Brutal. Just people everywhere. People — shoes and shirts and ball caps on the floor, and some of the bodies were completely covered by blankets," said witness Phil Zullo.

Toronto's district fire chief said firefighters responding to the incident helped treat and triage patients at several locations.

"I believe patients were found at three different areas," Stephan Powell said, noting he did not know how many people had been treated by firefighters.


UPDATE: 12:45 p.m.

Police have yet to confirm how many people were injured in an incident Monday in which several pedestrians were struck by a van.

"We don't know the cause or the reason for the collision, but we can confirm that the van has been located and the driver is in custody," ​Const. Caroline de Kloet said.

Eye-witnesses to the incident describe a scene of devastation with an unknown number of pedestrian injuries.

Phil Zullo was driving north on Yonge Street early Monday afternoon when he said he observed police chasing a vehicle.

Moments later he said he realized why.

"I must have seen about five, six people being resuscitated by bystanders and by ambulance drivers," Zullo said. "It was awful. Brutal. Just people everywhere. People — shoes and shirts and ball caps on the floor."

Toronto Paramedic Services spokeswoman Kim McKinnon said personnel are on the scene treating an unknown number of injuries, but declined to provide further detail.

Dozens of people stood in silence close to the crash scene as a police helicopter hovered overhead. Streets in the area were closed as dozens of police cruisers converged on the scene.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said he planned to join those on scene as he extended city support to the investigation of an incident he described as "very tragic."

"My thoughts are with those affected by this incident and the frontline responders who are working to help those injured," he said in a statement.


UPDATE: noon

Toronto Police Const. Caroline de Kloet confirms the person arrested is the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident at the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue area.

She did not provide details on the identity of the driver or any charges that may be pending.

Paramedics are on the scene of the incident, treating an unknown number of injuries.

Police say they were called to the area early Monday afternoon after reports of a van driving up onto the sidewalk, hitting numerous pedestrians then driving away.

Eye witnesses report seeing serious injuries at the scene.

A waiter at a nearby cafe says he saw several people injured, including a girl who he said appeared to be in serious condition.


UPDATE: 11:30 a.m.

Toronto police say one person is in custody after multiple pedestrians were hit by a van in north Toronto.

They say the person arrested is the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident at the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue area.

Several people are reported injured.


UPDATE: 11:25 a.m.

Toronto paramedic spokeswoman Kim McKinnon says first responders are on scene treating multiple patients, but wouldn't confirm the number or severity of injuries.

McKinnon urged people to stay out of the area.

Police have shut down the Yonge and Finch intersection, and Toronto's transit agency says it has suspended service on the subway line running through the area.

A waiter at a nearby cafe says he saw several people injured, including a girl who he said appeared to be in serious condition.

Photos from the scene show paramedics treating several people on the sidewalk, where blood stains can be seen.


ORIGINAL: 11:10 a.m.

Police say multiple pedestrians have been struck by a van in north Toronto.

They say the extent of their injuries isn't known.

Police say a white van hit the pedestrians in the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue area about 1:30 p.m.

They say the van drove away after the pedestrians were hit.

Television footage form the scene shows multiple first responders treating people on the sidewalk.



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