The outcome could have been far different for a child who was struck by a vehicle in Victoria’s Chinatown on Tuesday.
According to the British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), paramedics responded to the 500-block of Fisgard Street at around 12:26 after receiving reports of a motor vehicle incident involving a pedestrian.
BCEHS, who did not disclose the age of the patient, said two paramedic crews were then dispatched to the scene, where they cared for the individual and transported them to a local hospital in serious condition.
However, CHEK News has learned that the individual struck was a child.
The Victoria Police Department told CHEK the child ran darted out onto Fisgard Street from between two cars and was struck by a vehicle.
“The child darted out from between two vehicles and into the road and was struck by a vehicle,” said Bowen Osoko, media spokesperson with the Victoria Police Department, adding. “The child’s parents had lost sight of the child for an instant when the collision occurred.”
Osoko said the driver of the vehicle had absolutely no time to stop and that they remained on scene, providing first aid to the child.
“The driver of the vehicle had no reasonable opportunity to stop. They remained on scene and immediately provided aid to the child,” he said.
Although the child was transported to hospital with serious injuries, Osoko said the injuries were non-life-threatening injuries and the child has now been released.
“The child was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and released a short time later into the care of their very relieved parents,” he said.
Given the outcome, Osoko said the department considers everyone involved in the incident to be “extremely” lucky.
Nicholas Pescod
