One individual lost their life, and four others sustained injuries following a collision involving a vehicle at a drop-in center in downtown Ottawa on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 9 a.m. at the intersection of Rideau and Cobourg streets, according to authorities.
Ottawa police reported that four pedestrians were hit, including a male in his 70s who suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries later in the morning. Additionally, two other males were seriously injured and hospitalized in critical condition, while a female pedestrian was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
The driver of the SUV involved in the crash also sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital in stable condition. As of early Wednesday afternoon, Ottawa police had not determined the cause of the accident.
The collision took place during snowy weather conditions in Ottawa, with Environment Canada issuing a special weather advisory. Eyewitness Safouane Elattari, who works at a nearby restaurant, described hearing a loud noise and witnessing the aftermath of the crash.
The Capital City Mission drop-in center, which caters to vulnerable individuals offering food, coffee, and clothing, was affected by the incident. In response to the tragedy, the organization expressed sorrow over the incident and emphasized that each injured person was a beloved member of the community.
Anna Vogt, the mission’s board chair, mentioned that everyone was deeply affected by the event. The drop-in center sustained significant damage, and efforts were being made to assess when it would be safe to reopen.
The damaged vehicle was removed from the location by 12:15 p.m. Ottawa Fire Services indicated that their specialized team would reinforce the building once the police completed their investigation. Rideau Street remained closed in the vicinity until approximately 2 p.m.