'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
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.