2 dead, 2 injured after driver hits pedestrians outside Tsawwassen Mills mall: police

2 dead, 2 injured after driver hits pedestrians outside Tsawwassen Mills mall: police

2 dead, 2 injured after driver hits pedestrians outside B.C. mall

Pedestrians killed, injured after driver hits people outside B.C. mall

Police now say two people have died and two have been injured in what they are calling a "serious motor vehicle collision" outside the Tsawwassen Mills mall this morning.

A statement from Delta police says the collision happened in the mall parking lot around 10:25 a.m. PT, about 10 minutes after the Tsawwassen First Nation was scheduled to hold a house post unveiling as part of its National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event.

The two injured people were treated at the scene and taken to the hospital, according to the statement. Officers believe the driver of the vehicle "may have experienced a medical emergency" before the collision.

"Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic incident," the statement said.

"The incident is not related to the Truth and Reconciliation Walk that was taking place on Tsawwassen First Nation lands at the time."

Police said there is no ongoing risk to the public.

Neither the First Nation, the police, nor the City of Delta have specified where exactly the incident happened — but first responders were seen near Montana's BBQ and Bar, located just off Highway 17 at the south end of the mall.

As we've reported, none of those officials have suggested the incident was intentional.

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby responded to the news while speaking at the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Truth and Reconciliation Day event near Kamloops.

"They're asking for our thoughts, they're asking for our prayers in this moment — for them, for the families who've been affected," Eby said.

"[It's] an already challenging day, and we send all of our love to the people of Tsawwassen and the Tsawwassen First Nation … with respect and appreciation for the work that they're doing now to support the community in the wake of this tragedy."

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson shared a statement on X saying he was deeply saddened by the events in Tsawwassen.

"I'm keeping their families and loved ones in my thoughts, along with everyone else who was injured," Doerkson said.

Elenore Sturko, leader of CentreBC, said she was thinking of those affected and thanked first responders. B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan also shared her sadness over today's incident in a post, while Dallas Brodie, leader of OneBC, asked people to pray for the victims.

Patsy Thompson believes she arrived at the scene moments after it happened.

The musician says she was supposed to play at the First Nation's unveiling event. But when she arrived to set up, she was met by a shocking scene — including a truck "smashed into a wall," people screaming and emergency workers helping people "who looked very injured,” she said.

Thompson described seeing "ambulance after ambulance" showing up.

"There was a lot of crying and a lot of screaming and people were very upset. It was really traumatic," she said.

"I've never seen anything like this before."

I'm at the scene outside Tsawwassen Mills, where the sidewalk is scattered with items like shoes, clothing and medical equipment like gloves and first aid kits.

A lamppost has been snapped from the ground, several metres from where a black truck is stopped on the sidewalk against a wall outside a Boston Pizza restaurant.

I'm a reporter with CBC News at the scene in Tsawwassen Mills, where the mood is solemn.

Onlookers, including children, are watching the scene, which is cordoned off with police tape. Debris is scattered across the entrance to Entrance 3 of the mall.

A woman I spoke to who lives in the area says the house posts that were meant to be unveiled today as part of the Tsawwassen First Nation's Truth and Reconciliation event are still under their blue and silver coverings.

Tsawwassen First Nation has posted a statement about the incident online. It said the incident occurred during the Truth and Reconciliation walk.

"Emergency responders remain on site. We ask members of the public to avoid the area and allow responders to carry out their work."

The nation said it will not provide additional details out of respect for Tsawwassen First Nation families and ongoing response efforts.

More information will be shared when appropriate, the nation said.

There are more than 500 Tsawwassen First Nation members, with 275 of them living on the nation's territory.

I drove off a ferry at the Tsawwassen terminal at 10:45 a.m. PT and saw around 15-20 ambulances and another 15 or so emergency vehicles (police units, fire trucks) at the south side of the Tsawassen Mills mall. Two helicopters were also flying overhead. There was yellow police tape around the south end of the mall, as well.

A group of around 100 Tsawwassen band members were on the east side and someone was lying on the ground.

The area police have asked the public to avoid includes the road to access the B.C. Ferries Tsawwassen terminal, one of two major points connecting the mainland to Vancouver Island.

The Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) was hosting a community walk starting at the TFN Recreation Centre on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, according to the nation's Facebook page.

"This day is an opportunity for our community to come together to honour and remember the children," said the post.

A house post unveiling was scheduled for 10:15 a.m. PT at an entrance to the nearby Tsawwassen Mills mall.

Guests were encouraged to wear orange to support and commit to reconciliation.

Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson took part in the event. His spokesperson, Charlotte Power, said the minister and his team were unhurt and unaware of what happened.

She said they were taking part in a walk, which ended abruptly, and the incident was not near their group.

The Delta Police Department says four pedestrians have been struck in a collision on Tsawwassen First Nation land.

A statement said officers are on scene investigating what police are calling a "medical incident." They are also asking people to avoid the area.

People are being asked to avoid the Tsawwassen Mills area in Metro Vancouver due to what the Tsawwassen First Nation is calling a "civil emergency."

"An incident is currently in progress that has ended our Truth & Reconciliation event. Participants are asked to walk back the way we came and stay out of the area," says an alert posted just before 11 a.m. PT Wednesday.

The City of Delta posted on social media asking people in the area to follow the direction of local authorities. The provincial government has also posted an alert.

CBC News has contacted police for more information.

A public safety incident is in progress at the #Tsawwassen First Nation, #BC. The public is advised to stay clear of the area. If you are not in the area, avoid the area. Stay tuned for more information & follow the direction of local authorities. More info: https://t.co/xKsmLBldSn