The Ontario government is suggesting new measures to enhance safety at child-care centers, following a tragic incident where an SUV collided with a daycare north of Toronto. This crash resulted in the death of a toddler and left six other children injured.
Three staff members were also hurt during the accident on Wednesday at First Roots Early Education Academy in Richmond Hill, Ont.
According to police, the boy who passed away was only 1 1/2 years old. The other children, aged between 18 months and three years, were taken to hospitals with various injuries. As of Thursday afternoon, two of them remained in critical condition.
Education Minister Paul Calandra mentioned that the government is proposing that operators and municipalities should eliminate parking spaces right next to entryways, windows, and exterior walls of classrooms or playgrounds at child-care facilities.
Calandra noted that accessible spaces and child-care centers operating out of private homes would be exceptions.
He also stated he has instructed his ministry to collaborate with service managers, inspectors, and service providers to identify any “vulnerabilities” that need addressing before upcoming legislative changes.
“Our government will implement any necessary legislative or regulatory amendments to municipal or landlord restrictions that currently hinder the installation of protective barriers like bollards, planters, elevated curbs, and other physical infrastructure aimed at protecting children and staff in these environments,” Calandra said in a statement shared on social media.
The First Roots Early Education Academy expressed it was “in a state of shock” after the incident.
“We wish to share our gratitude for the outpouring of support and sympathy and want to thank the emergency services personnel who assisted the affected children and their families as well as our staff members,” it stated on social media.
“We ask that our community be given privacy to grieve and recover in this unimaginably difficult time.”
Vinay Kumar Gupta was arrested at the scene in Richmond Hill. He faces one count of dangerous operation causing death along with two counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The 70-year-old was granted bail after a brief appearance in court on Thursday.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, York Regional Police Chief Jim Mac Sween said “at this time, there is no reason to believe the collision was deliberate.” He described it as a “devastating” event that would resonate throughout the region.
Investigators initially indicated at the crash site on Wednesday that it did not appear intentional. Police confirmed Gupta was alone in his vehicle; however, they have not disclosed what might have caused this incident during pickup hours.
A news release from police on Thursday mentioned they are still gathering evidence and more charges could follow. They encouraged anyone with footage from around the area to come forward.
A judge in Newmarket, Ont., issued a publication ban during Gupta’s bail hearing on Thursday afternoon regarding information shared then.
He was released on $25,000 bail under conditions including residing with someone who can supervise him, refraining from driving any vehicles, and not possessing keys to any cars.
A Hyundai electric vehicle involved in the crash was removed through a shattered window of the daycare and loaded onto a tow truck Wednesday evening. It showed minimal visible damage except for some broken glass scattered across its hood and a hanging license plate.
The large window had been boarded up with plywood by Thursday morning along with other lumber pieces.
Beneath it lay stuffed animals facing towards the parking lot where residents had placed bouquets of flowers alongside a mini basketball and candle as tributes.
A sign reading “please slow down” remained attached near where the accident occurred.
Emirson Bekirovski received an urgent message from his daughter’s daycare while he was working about needing him to pick her up due to an emergency situation.
“My wife came here traumatized seeing all those helicopters flying around along with police cars,” Bekirovski recalled. He added parents weren’t given much detail apart from instructions just telling them how to take their kids home safely.
The police confirmed there were 96 children present across multiple rooms when this tragedy took place at the center.
.
...
“We’re obviously very happy that our daughter’s safe but we’re all pretty shaken up knowing this happened so close by,” said Bekirovski.
.
.##? o+&$^*.” “Source linkMaan Alhmidi & Vanessa Tiberio | Canadian Press
.
...
“We’re obviously very happy that our daughter’s safe but we’re all pretty shaken up knowing this happened so close by,” said Bekirovski.
.
.##? o+&$^*.
