Calgary police confirm a woman, believed to be in her 40s, has died after she was hit by a semi-truck in front of the Safeway in the North Hill Shopping Centre at around 8 p.m. Wednesday.
“Witnesses advised that the semi-truck stopped for some pedestrians that were entering the mall and I guess he didn’t see this additional pedestrian that was either exiting or entering the mall,” Sgt. Jorge Gottschling with the Calgary Police Service, said.
Police said the driver is being cooperative and alcohol and speed are not believed to have been involved.
“It’s not like he was going fast or acting irresponsibly. He thought that the coast was clear and he started driving forward again and then he realized a thud and it was someone going underneath his vehicle,” Gottschling said.
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Adam Loria with Emergency Medical Services said the woman was brought to the Foothills Medical Centre in life-threatening condition before she died.
Loria said emergency crews responded to the northwest parking lot after the woman was struck.
He said bystanders and mall employees immediately called 911 and tried to help.
“As far as whether he’s guilty of anything or if this is just a terrible accident, we don’t know at this stage,” Gottschling said about the driver of the semi-truck.