Child in critical condition after being hit by transport truck in Toronto

Toronto Police say an 11-year-old boy was rushed to hospital with critical injuries after being hit by a transport truck in northwest Toronto on Friday morning.

Duty Insp. Jeff Bangild said the pedestrian-involved collision happened near Albion Road and Beattie Avenue, near Elmhurst Drive, just before 9 a.m.

“It’s kind of a Z intersection, it’s not a perfect cross … they don’t match up,” Bangild said.

Bangild said according to video surveillance officers have obtained, it appears the boy was crossing within or near the crosswalk when he was struck between the cab of the truck and where the trailer begins.

Bangild added due to the time of the morning it was likely that the child may have been on the way to school and said his school has been notified.

A letter from the principal of Elms Junior Middle School to parents said a student at the school had been struck.

“We understand a number of students witnessed this accident, and social work staff were at school today to support students and talk about what they saw or heard about the accident,” part of the letter read.

Paramedics told Global News they took a pediatric patient to a trauma centre with critical injuries.

Bangild said he is waiting on an update from SickKids Hospital but noted life-saving measures were being performed on the child.

The driver remained at the scene after the collision and is cooperating with investigators, Bangild said.

The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been laid. Bangild said the collision reconstruction unit is on scene, the transport truck will be inspected and officers are reviewing surveillance video.

There are road closures in the area. Motorists are advised to take another route.