Bus crashes into Laval daycare
A Laval city bus crashed into a daycare Wednesday morning, with at least five injured. Two Quebec ministers and the MNA from the area are rushing to the scene. Radio‑Canada says the driver has been arrested and witnesses allege it was a deliberate act.
Update: CBC radio news says two children have died.
The identity of the driver has been revealed. TVA talked to a witness of the crash. La Presse reports that bus services in Laval may be in disarray for a few days, expecting that drivers may need mental health breaks.
Some thoughts from Isabelle Hachey and more detail on the incident: three parents dropping off their kids had to subdue the driver with the help of a man living near the daycare.
Another update: The driver faces nine charges including two of murder in the first degree. Nothing said yet about a psych assessment but it’s bound to be ordered, based on the known facts so far.
Blork 12:19 on 2023-02-08 Permalink
That sounds awful. What would make a bus driver want to crash into a daycare? My first thought was that maybe it was a daycare catering to immigrants or some marginal group, because sometimes that’s enough to make some idiots do stupid things like this, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. What madness!
And what’s with ministers rushing to the scene? What can they do besides get in the way? (If this was some kind of racist or political act then I can understand there would be a need to be on-site to denounce it for political reasons. Otherwise it just seems like hay-making to me.)
shawn 12:40 on 2023-02-08 Permalink
Two children confirmed dead now.
Kate 12:41 on 2023-02-08 Permalink
So far the intent is only an allegation, but the driver was immediately arrested, which suggests they had some basis for doing so. When I’d initially seen only that, I assumed possible intoxication, but this is far worse.
shawn 12:45 on 2023-02-08 Permalink
Someone on Twitter stated they were familiar with the area and thought it was impossible to drive into the place accidentally… fwiw.
shawn 12:57 on 2023-02-08 Permalink
Oh there we go. Gazette reports: “He said after the crash, the bus driver, screaming, opened the bus door and started taking all off his clothes.” Very sad.
Blork 13:04 on 2023-02-08 Permalink
Sounds like a mental breakdown. How sad and terrible, especially now that there are fatalities.