'Surprised that no one died': Truck crashes into Calgary restaurant
Several people were hurt, but Calgary police say an incident where a truck drove through a restaurant window will not lead to charges being laid.
Emergency crews were called to the area of 31 Street and 34 Avenue S.E. at approximately 10:15 p.m. for reports of a crash.
On arrival, they found a truck had driven through the front window of Sammy's Chophouse and landed fully inside the business.
Courtney Daly was sitting inside when the truck smashed into the restaurant.
"I looked up and saw a black truck flying towards the window. I told my friends to 'look out' and then it was on top us – it came through the window."
She calls it "the most terrifying experience" she has ever had in her life.
Daly adds the pub was busy at the time the crash occurred.
"I'm surprised that no one died."
"I just heard smashing glass and then I couldn't breathe," said Catherine Dawson, who says she was the first person hit.
"I was on my hands and knees crawling – I guess I was crawling from underneath the vehicle and I could not breathe.
"I didn't know what was wrong with me – I looked over at my friend and she was injured. I looked over at my other friend and her head was hanging in a booth and I didn't know if she was okay or not."
EMS told CTV News that four people were taken to hospital in connection with the incident and several people were assessed at the scene.
The victims include:
- An adult female in stable, non-life-threatening condition taken to Foothills Medical Centre;
- An adult female in serious but stable condition taken to Foothills Medical Centre;
- An elderly male in stable, non-life-threatening condition taken to Peter Lougheed Centre; and
- An adult female in stable, non-life-threatening condition taken to South Health Campus.
The incident could have been much worse, officials said on Sunday.
"Anytime a vehicle enters a building and actually breached the structure of a building, we have the potential for a number of serious injuries and so, we work with our allied agencies like the Calgary Fire Department to make sure that the building is safe and secure before we can even enter that building," said Helene Hamilton, acting public education officer with EMS.
Calgary police say the driver of the truck, a 76-year-old man, had crashed into the restaurant at "a high rate of speed."
Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the collision, police say.
The matter is under investigation but it's not believed the incident is criminal in nature.
"Anyone with information, or who has dashcam footage from the area, is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.