Note: This story has since been updated.
Eight people were taken to hospital after a “serious motor vehicle collision” involving pedestrians in London, Ont., Tuesday evening, officials say.
London police said they were called at around 6:45 p.m. to the crash on Riverside Drive.
“We received a call in relation to multiple pedestrians struck just west of Wonderland Road on Riverside Drive and upon arrival, we learned that multiple vehicles were struck as well,” Const. Sandasha Bough said.
Bough said “a number of pedestrians” were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.
In an update shared late Tuesday night, police said “while it is still early on in the investigation, there is nothing to indicate that this was an intentional act.”
Miranda Bothwell, spokesperson for Middlesex-London Paramedic Services, said a total of eight patients were taken to hospital. She described the condition of three of the patients at the time of transport to the hospital as “very critical” while the rest were reported to be in serious condition. One person was believed to have been treated at the scene.
“While it is still early on in the investigation, there is nothing to indicate that this was an intentional act,” police said in a brief update late Tuesday night. Earlier, Bough said the collision was not a hit-and-run and that all those involved remained at the scene.
What may have led to the crash isn’t clear.
“We are investigating what took place tonight and we’ll be able to share updates as they become available,” Bough said.
London police Chief Stephen Williams tweeted that people should “avoid speculation about the nature of the incident.”
“We must let the officers do their jobs. Our thoughts are with those injured and impacted.”
London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos echoed those sentiments, telling Global News that he understands the tendency to speculate but said, “We have to let police carry out their investigation and do their work.”
He added that he was thinking of the injured and their families Wednesday morning.
London Mayor Ed Holder said on Twitter that he is “praying tonight for those injured near Wonderland and Riverside, and thinking of their families.”
“You are in our hearts,” the post said. “My thoughts are also with our first responders who arrived at the scene earlier this evening, and those who remain there at this hour.”
Wonderland Road from Springbank Drive to Kingsway Avenue and Riverside Drive from Braemar Crescent to Warren Road were closed until roughly 7 a.m. Wednesday.
— With files from Andrew Graham, Matthew Trevithick and Jacquelyn LeBel