A B.C. Transit bus hit two pedestrians near a corner of Beacon Hill Park in Victoria on Tuesday night.
The crash occurred about 7:45 p.m. when a bus headed east on Superior Street turned left onto Douglas Street, Victoria police said.
The intersection, near where Douglas and Blanshard streets meet, has traffic lights.
Police could not say whether the pedestrians were crossing with or against the light in a marked crosswalk when they were struck, in front of Helm’s Inn.
“We know they were crossing Douglas Street but we don’t know if the point of first contact was in the crosswalk or not,” said Staff Sgt. Mike Johnston.
One male was stuck underneath the bus and a female was found lying off to the side near the front of the bus, Johnston said.
Thirteen firefighters responded to the crash and worked to get the male out from under the bus, said Victoria Fire Battalion Chief Mike Bradstock.
“The patient was conscious when transported from the scene by B.C. Ambulance Service,” he said. The female was also taken to hospital.
Police described the injuries of both pedestrians as non-life threatening.
The driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock.
“He was so distraught,” Johnston said. “[Police] were not able to get a word out of him.”
Police said there were several witnesses to the crash. They were being interviewed Tuesday night at police headquarters.
A team of traffic analysts, who arrived on the scene about 9 p.m., pored over the roadway between the crosswalk and where the bus ended up, several metres down the road.
No further details were available from police Wednesday morning and there was no comment from B.C. Transit.
From Twitter (newest at bottom)
Our CRASH team is on scene w a collision involving a bus & a pedestrian. Road closures will be in effect near Douglas & Superior #F162772.
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 20, 2016
Two persons have gone to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the collision. #F162772.
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 20, 2016
Update - 3 persons to hospital w non-life-threatening injuries after a collision btwn a bus & pedestrians. #F162772.
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) January 20, 2016
