4-year-old boy died in pedestrian crash in Horseshoe Bay

After a fatal collision involving a bus and pedestrians on Wednesday, May 28, afternoon near the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal, West Vancouver police are confirming that a 4-year-old boy has died and two others are in the hospital.

The accident happened around 3:30 p.m.

Sgt. Chris Bigland with the West Vancouver police said the boy was “pronounced deceased at scene.”

His mother is in critical condition and was transported to Lionsgate hospital, he adds.

A female friend of the mother was transported to the same hospital in stable condition.

The police said that “next of kin notifications have been completed.”

The West Vancouver Police Department, the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service, and the Ministry of Transportation’s Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement branch are currently jointly investigating the cause of the event.

West Vancouver police is asking the public to keep avoiding the area around the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal as this “investigation is dynamic and has many moving parts.”

According to Sgt. Bigland, witnesses are still being identified and interviewed.

Police are encouraging anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them on the non-emergency number at 604-925-7300. Any dash cam or other video footage in the area of Keith road and Bay Street might also be of value.

The Metro Vancouver Transit Police confirmed that a TransLink bus was involved.

The driver of the bus, who is a TransLink employee, is currently being interviewed by police.

The bus has been seized for inspection and TransLink and the Metro Vancouver Transit Police are assisting with the investigation.

Criminal offense has not been ruled out, according to police.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic incident near the Horseshoe Bay terminal this afternoon. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this devastating event,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn in a statement.

BC Emergency Health Services says four ambulances attended the scene at Keith Road and Bay Street.

“Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to two patients. One patient was transported to hospital in critical condition. The other patient was transported to hospital in stable condition,” said BC EHS.

Sgt. Bigland says that the West Vancouver Police Department has its critical incident stress management team at the scene to help first responders who have been affected.

Photos posted to social media show an articulated TransLink bus stopped at the intersection, with several emergency crews responding.

Cpl. Dave Noon with the Lower Mainland Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (LMD-ICARS) says the intersection will remain closed for several hours as police investigate.