Delta police say two people are dead after a collision in the parking lot of Tsawwassen Mills Mall in Delta, B.C. on Wednesday morning.
Prime Minister Mark Carney later shared on social media that the two victims were First Nations elders.
Around 5:40 p.m., Delta police also confirmed the two people killed were elders with the Tsawwassen First Nation.
Police said around 10:25 a.m., preliminary information indicated the driver of a vehicle may have experienced a medical emergency and struck four pedestrians outside the mall.
Two people died from their injuries and others were treated at the scene, police said.
Two people were taken to the hospital, along with the driver who was treated at the scene and then transported, police added.
They confirmed the incident is not related to the Truth and Reconciliation walk that was taking place on Tsawwassen First Nation lands at the time. The collision forced the event’s cancellation and prompted an alert directing people to avoid the area.
In a statement, the First Nation said it is “deeply saddened to confirm that an incident occurred during today’s 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. Further information will be shared when appropriate.”
There is no ongoing risk to public safety, police said.
The truck involved in the incident had the company name Alpine on the side.
In a statement, the company said “Alpine Building Maintenance (Alpine) is aware of an incident that took place September 30th at Tsawwassen Mills Mall in Delta, BC.
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“We are cooperating with the appropriate authorities to support their investigation. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Given the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
People were being asked to avoid the area and stay away from the scene, however, the mall remained open.
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British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby was at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and told an audience that the collision is “very difficult news” during an “already challenging day.”
Wednesday’s incident happened as politicians in British Columbia’s election campaign are marking National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, committing to work with Indigenous Peoples by acknowledging the past while taking steps for the future.
B.C. Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson said in a statement reconciliation means learning from the past and taking constructive steps for the future, and he’s committed to doing his part, including on economic reconciliation.
He said the national day is a time for reflection and encourages everyone to take part in events in their communities.
The party said in a statement that it would remove the uncertainty and ambiguity that exists around the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, commonly known as DRIPA, by fully implementing it through legislation.
The Greens, led by Emily Lowan, also promised to enact legislation to guarantee Indigenous language rights and create a task force to investigate cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and two-Spirited people.
The Greens’ statement also called on Eby to issue a formal apology around his government’s handling of DRIPA.
-with files from The Canadian Press
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