Toronto police are praising a woman pinned against a hair salon by a SUV for her quick thinking by pushing two young children in a stroller out of the way of the vehicle.
Emergency crews were called to the area of Boon Avenue and St. Clair Avenue West, west of Dufferin Street, just before 11:25 a.m.
Police said the caregiver was pushing a stroller with two children under the age of five when the SUV reversed and mounted the curb, taking out a Green P parking machine before hitting and pinning her.
Representatives said it appears she managed to push the children out of the way so they weren’t hit.
The children had minor injuries after the collision, but officers said the woman was taken to a Toronto trauma centre in serious, but non-life-threatening condition.
When asked about the caregiver’s reaction, Const. David Hopkinson said the incident could have been much worse.
“Many people faced with a decision whether they’re going to be injured, possibly killed, would think to save their own lives, and she thought to protect the children in her care — that is heroic to me,” he said.
Roads immediately near the scene were blocked off as the Toronto Police traffic services unit was called in to investigate.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign was launched to help support the injured caregiver.
— With files from Miranda Anthistle