A fatal collision in downtown Ottawa left one man dead and four others injured Wednesday morning after an SUV crashed into a drop-in centre operated by Capital City Mission at the intersection of Rideau and Cobourg streets.
The incident occurred at approximately 9 a.m., according to the Ottawa Police Service. Four pedestrians were struck, including a man in his 70s who was transported to hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Police later confirmed he died from his injuries.
Paramedics reported that two other men were seriously hurt and taken to hospital in critical but non-life-threatening condition. A woman who was also hit was transported in stable condition.
The SUV driver was injured as well and taken to hospital in stable condition. The damaged vehicle was removed from the scene shortly after noon.
Ottawa Fire Services spokesperson Nick DeFazio said a specialized structural collapse team will be required to shore up the building once investigators have completed their work. Rideau Street remained closed in the area until mid-afternoon.