Montreal: Two children were killed and six others injured after a city bus collided with a daycare building north of Montreal on Wednesday.
The 51-year-old driver of the bus has been arrested and charged with murder. Eyewitnesses said the accident appeared to have been carried out intentionally.
The driver of the Society de Transport de Laval (STL) bus has been identified as Pierre Ny St-Amand, 51. He was taken into custody on the spot and is currently charged with nine counts of attempt to murder, assault in a fit of rage and assault in order to cause bodily harm.
While one of the children was declared dead on the spot, the other was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries where he later succumbed to his injuries, police said. According to documents submitted to the court, both the children were four years old.
Six other children were rushed to the hospital in an injured condition but their condition is said to be out of danger. One person was also taken to the hospital due to the shock caused by the accident.
Police said they received a call at 8.30 am at 911 in connection with the accident. It is at this time that parents usually leave their children in a daycare.
Hamdi Benchaabane, an eyewitness, said he lives in the neighborhood and was the first to reach the scene of the incident and helped suspect stop him from fleeing. He said the accident was intentional. The driver took the bus straight and hit the daycare.
He said that after the incident, driver came out of the vehicle and started screaming and he didn’t utter a word. Quebec Premier François Legault shared his grief with the families and said the incident had shaken them. He said that the families will give whatever kind of help they need.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “My heart is with the people of Laval today. No words can take away the pain and fear that parents, children, and workers are feeling – but we are here for you. I’m keeping everyone affected by this unfathomable, tragic event in my thoughts.”