Two people have died and two others were taken to hospital after four pedestrians were struck by a vehicle outside Tsawwassen Mills Mall Wednesday morning, the Delta Police Department (DPD) says.
In a post on X from Prime Minister Mark Carney, the two people who have died from the accident were identified as Elders in the Tsawwassen First Nation.
The nature of the incident is not clear; however, the DPD says preliminary information indicates the driver of the vehicle involved may have had a medical emergency prior to the collision.
There was a Truth and Reconciliation Walk taking place at Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN), but police say the collision is unrelated to the event.
“There is no ongoing risk to public safety,” it said.
At 11:30 a.m., the DPD said it was on the scene of the collision on TFN.
“At this point it appears to be a medical incident,” it posted on X. “Four pedestrians have been struck and are being dealt with by Emergency Health Services.”
In a statement, Tsawwassen First Nation has confirmed that an incident occurred during Truth and Reconciliation Walk.
“Out of respect for Tsawwassen First Nation families and ongoing response efforts, we will not be providing additional details at this time,” the statement says.
“Further information will be shared when appropriate. Tsawwassen First Nation extends its sincere gratitude to the Delta Police Department, emergency responders, and community members who assisted during the incident.”
Shortly before 11 a.m., a Civil Emergency Alert was issued for a “critical” incident on Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) lands, according to Alertable, an emergency notification app used by some local municipalities and Indigenous communities.
“An incident is currently in progress that has ended our Truth & Reconciliation event,” the alert says.
“Participants are asked to walk back the way we came and stay out of the area.”
Video taken at the scene shows several ambulances lining up around a parking lot at Tsawwassen Mills Mall.
More coming.