Toddler dies after being struck by recycling truck in Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood
A toddler has died after being struck by a recycling truck in a Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood on Thursday afternoon.
Police said the call about a collision involving a 23-month-old boy on Red Maple Lane in the city's south end came in shortly before 12:45 p.m.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The child suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a trauma centre, where police said he passed away during the night.
"We have a lot of unanswered questions at this time," stated Peter Leon, communications coordinator with Barrie Police Services.
Police have obtained surveillance video and canvassed the area for witnesses to help investigators piece together exactly what happened.
"This is truly a tragic incident that our community has to live through," Leon said.
Police say the driver remained at the scene, and those who know him said he is an experienced driver.
The incident happened in a new subdivision under construction near Mapleview Drive East and Yonge Street.
"We have to acknowledge the fact that a life has been lost, and that is something that is irreversible," Leon concluded.
Parents taking their children to school Friday morning were shocked to hear about the tragedy.
"I've got my daughter playing outside here every day, running around or riding her bike, or whatnot. It makes me feel, I don't know how to explain it," said parent Mario Hamilton.
"[Keep a] close eye on your kids at all times. That's why every time they want to come outside and play, I'm right here with them," said neighbour Justin Mullin.
In a statement to CTV News, the recycling company Emterra Group, wrote, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred on May 23, 2024, involving one of our company trucks.
Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with the family. We are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation."
Recycling collection was transitioned from the City of Barrie on May 1 to Circular Materials, which then contracted Emterra Group.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Your father’s diet before you were born could have affected your health, a new study suggests
Your father's diet before you were born could have played a role in your health, a new study has found.
Ottawa Food Bank receives largest donation in its 40-year history
210,000 pounds of food was delivered to the Ottawa Food Bank on Saturday, the largest donation in its 40-year history.
16-year-old boy fatally shot outside Scarborough plaza identified
Police have identified a teenage boy who was fatally shot in Scarborough’s L’Amoreaux neighbourhood on Saturday afternoon.
Joe Alwyn says breakup with Taylor Swift was 'a hard thing to navigate'
Joe Alwyn is speaking publicly for the first time about the end of his years-long relationship with Taylor Swift.
Prince William shares childhood photo of him and King Charles III for Father's Day
Prince William on Sunday shared a photograph showing him as a child with his father, King Charles III, to mark Father’s Day in the United Kingdom this year.
Singh 'more alarmed' after reading report, but won't break from Liberal-NDP agreement
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is 'even more alarmed than before' after reading the un-redacted report alleging there are MPs and senators who are participating to some degree in foreign interference efforts.
Global study ranks two Canadian cities high on list of most expensive places to buy a home
As Canadians continue to struggle with the extremely high cost of buying a home in some of the country’s major urban centres, a new global report is underscoring just how expensive some of those markets are.
Clooney and Roberts help Biden raise US$30 million-plus at a star-studded Hollywood gala
Some of Hollywood's brightest stars headlined a fundraiser for U.S. President Joe Biden that took in a record US$30 million-plus for a Democratic candidate, according to his campaign, in hopes of energizing would-be supporters for a White House contest they said may rank among the most consequential in U.S. history.
Ontario Northland bus fire closes part of Highway 400
Part of Highway 400 was closed on Sunday after an Ontario Northland bus caught on fire.