10 dead, 15 injured after van strikes pedestrians in Toronto

Toronto Police have updated the amount of people killed on Monday afternoon to 10. Toronto’s Police Chief Mark Saunders said 15 people remain injured in hospital after a van veered onto the sidewalk in north Toronto.

Earlier in the day, deputy chief Peter Yuen held a conference, indicating an investigation is underway.

Two hotlines have been set up for those who witnessed it and for family members of those affected.

They say the incident occurred in the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue area around 1:30 p.m.

Police say the white van drove away after the pedestrians were hit. Police have now confirmed the driver of the white van has been taken into custody.

Police said they do not know why the incident happened.

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

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.

A witness named Nick told Global News he saw the van on the sidewalk driving in control hitting victims. He said he saw people dying.

Nick says he witnessed a vehicle on the sidewalk “in control” hitting pedestrians on Yonge. No word on driver. Multiple casualties. More @globalnewsto Details from @TPSOperations to come. pic.twitter.com/hEKXEmAvkg

— Jamie Mauracher (@JamieMauracher) April 23, 2018

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.

Chaotic scene on Yonge St. Paramedics treating people everywhere. Some have been pronounced dead on scene. pic.twitter.com/u2RL4BhgQs

— Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyGlobalTV) April 23, 2018

A Global reporter on the scene also described seeing bodies covered up and debris on the road.

I’ve now walked up Yonge St from north of Sheppard to Finch. I have passed multiple dead bodies covered up, shoes and debris in the road. Witnesses tell me the white van appeared completely out of control. pic.twitter.com/JEWynlTmZq

— Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyGlobalTV) April 23, 2018

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.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a statement his thoughts are with those affected by the incident and the frontline responders who are working to help those injured.

The mayor says he has offered any and all assistance that the city can provide to police to help with the investigation.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale described the events in Toronto as “a very serious situation” and will be working with Toronto police and RCMP on the matter.

He said the national terror threat level remains unchanged after the incident.

You can listen to live coverage of this developing story on CKOM.com.

-with files from the Canadian Press and Global News Toronto