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One person was killed and four others injured when a vehicle crashed into a drop-in centre at the corner of Rideau and Cobourg streets in downtown Ottawa on Wednesday morning.
The crash happened around 9 a.m. at the corner of Rideau and Cobourg streets, police said.
Ottawa paramedics said four pedestrians were struck including an elderly man who suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police said late Wednesday morning that he had died.
Paramedics said two other men were seriously injured and also taken to hospital in critical condition, but their injuries are not deemed life-threatening. The fourth pedestrian, a woman, was taken to hospital in stable condition.
Paramedics said the man who was driving the SUV was also injured and taken to hospital in stable condition.
Another angle of the crash. (Francis Ferland/CBC)
The website for the Capital City Mission drop-in centre for vulnerable people says it opens at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays for food, coffee and warm clothes. The organization has not replied to a request for information.
There is no information on the cause of the crash. It was snowing in Ottawa at the time, and Environment Canada had issued a special weather statement.
“I heard something like ‘boom,’ something crazy. I went outside and saw the car,” said Safouane Elattari, who works at a nearby restaurant.
WATCH | Some reaction from people nearby:
Witnesses describe scene of crash along Rideau Street
A vehicle crashed into a downtown Ottawa drop-in centre. CBC spoke with people in the neighbourhood who saw and heard the crash.
Rideau Street is closed between Cobourg and Chapel streets.