TORONTO – A five-year-old girl died Thursday after she was struck by a city garbage truck in Scarborough, Toronto police say.
Paramedics were called to the scene near Cliffside Drive and Kingston Road shortly before 4 p.m.
Police said four children were crossing Cliffside Drive on the south side of East Haven Drive, when three of them were struck by a 2010 Freightliner garbage truck.
The driver was heading westbound on East Haven Drive and turned left to southbound Cliffside when the incident occurred.
Two other children, ages 6 and 13, were also hit, but have minor injuries, according to a CityNews report.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the victims during this difficult time,” Mayor Rob Ford said in a statement.
“My thoughts and prayers, and I’m sure those of every parent in Toronto, are with the children, their families and friends. We will do everything we can to assist the families.”
Ford said the city will cooperate with the investigation.
“At this tragic time, our thoughts are with the victim’s family. None of us can imagine what they must be going through,” said CUPE 416 president Mark Ferguson.
“I want to extend, on behalf of Local 416, our deepest condolences and prayers to the little girl’s family.”
Scarborough Southwest Coun. Gary Crawford also expressed his condolences and support to the victims and their families.
According to CityNews, the 64-year-old driver got out of his truck after the incident and lay on the ground. He was taken to hospital for observation.
There is no word yet on charges.
The girl been identified as Kayleigh Callaghan-Belanger.
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You can’t say you feel bad for the driver yet. Information has yet to been disclosed. What if the driver ran through the stop sign and hit the kids? Or if the driver fell asleep. I feel bad for the family of the child, but regarding the driver, we must wait and see until all the details are disclosed.
Kris – accidents happen, we’ve all had one. Are you saying that if he was driving too fast, or didn’t look carefully enough, we should not feel sorry for the driver?!?! Unless there was intent to injure someone, which there is clearly not the case here, we should still feel sorry for the driver even if he is at fault. Because we’ve all made mistakes when driving…we probably make small errors every single time we drive, but are lucky enough not to have such severe consequences for our mistakes. I feel sorry for all involved, including the driver.
Deepest sympathy to both parties – driver and the child and their families.an
Now we see the result of cutbacks in this City. Thank mister Ford for having the Garbage truck drivers having to work weird hours and driving faster to make up time. If these drivers had more time this probably would not have happened.
A classic example of what Mary said happens at UTSC Military Trail crossing. I drive frequently in that area. These so called future cream of the society do not know to identify the lights and cross accordingly. Many a times a vehicle waiting to make a left turn into Ellesmere westbound is left stranded even after the light turns red and has to wait for these morons to complete crossing before doing so. UTSC better teach them how to cross the road safely.
I understood that a left turn shouldn’t be made unless the way is clear and that the pedastrians and through traffic have the right of way. I find it disturbing when people blame the victims especially when they are very young children. Shame on you.
My heart goes out to the driver, who was clearly horrified and distraught by what happened such that he collapsed at the scene, at his age likely a father or grandfather himself. I pray for his heavy heart, he surely did not intend for this to happen. I pray also for the little girl and her friends and family. Such a sad story all around. God bless them all.
Amen. What a tragic story.
This is very sad news, my deepest condolences to the family.
Not sure what happened exactly, but many times people just run across the road with little regard for traffic – this is so unfortunate – for both the young child and the driver. These incidents are happening too often.
Very sad to news, my condolences to the family of that poor child.
I live just down the street and just wish l could make the pain go away….very sad for everyone..my heart goes out to the driver and the child and all family’s involved……
God Bless you child…
The poor driver! It seems as though this was a bona fide accident. Can you imagine being the man who was involved? My heart goes out to everyone. Such a tragedy for all concerned.
The poor driver I can’t imagine living with something like that.. The family of the girl my heart goes out to them too.
A very sad day for this girl’s family. My condolences go out to family and friends of this girl.