The bus from the city of Laval, crashed in the Sainte-Rose educational nursery, this Wednesday. EVAN BUHLER (REUTERS)
The Canadian city of Laval, the third most populous in the province of Quebec and located on the outskirts of Montreal, was the scene this Wednesday morning of a tragedy that has shocked the country.
A Laval Transport Company bus crashed into a kindergarten at around 8:30 a.m. local time.
The incident left a balance of two minors dead and six injured.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested minutes later.
"We believe that he acted deliberately, although we do not know the reason," said Pierre Brochet, director of the police in this Quebec city, at a press conference.
The nursery kitchen and a living room were completely destroyed by the impact.
According to the local press, several neighbors and parents who were preparing to leave their children at the children's center subdued the driver;
they also helped rescuers remove children who had been trapped under the vehicle.
Some testimonies claim that the driver undressed after the bus hit.
One minor was pronounced dead at the scene and seven others were taken to nearby hospitals.
However, one of them passed away a few hours later.
An adult was also taken to a health center to be treated for a nervous breakdown.
The area of the drama was cordoned off by the police, but it became the scene of long moments of panic and anxiety on the part of some parents who asked about their children.
The nursery provides service to about 80 children.
The police confirmed that the detainee is Pierre Ny St-Amand, 51 years old.
He had worked as a driver for the Laval Transport Company for a decade and has no criminal record.
He has been charged with various crimes, including first degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Pierre Ny St-Amand appeared this afternoon at the Laval courthouse.
His next hearing is scheduled for February 17.
My heart is with the people of Laval today.
No words can take away the pain and fear that parents, children, and workers are feeling – but we are here for you.
I'm keeping everyone affected by this unfathomable, tragic event in my thoughts.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 8, 2023
Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister, tweeted: “My heart goes out to the people of Laval today.
Nothing can take away the pain and fear felt by parents, children and workers, but we are there to help.
My thoughts are with those affected by this incomprehensible and tragic incident."
Canadian parliamentarians observed a minute's silence at this Wednesday's session in Ottawa as a sign of mourning.
For his part, François Legault, Prime Minister of Quebec, declared: "As a father, I am shocked."
Legault will visit Laval this Thursday to meet with those affected by the tragedy.
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