WARNING: The images and video in this story may contain graphic content. Discretion is strongly advised.
Police say multiple pedestrians have been struck by a van in north Toronto. Nine are confirmed dead, 16 injured and in hospital.
They say the incident occurred in the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue area around 1:30 p.m. Police say the white van drove away after the pedestrians were hit.
Police have shut down the Yonge and Finch intersection and Toronto's transit agency says it has suspended service on the subway line running through the area. Investigators say to expect this area to be closed for several days.
A waiter at a nearby cafe says he saw several people injured, including a girl who he said appeared to be in serious condition.
Photos from the scene show paramedics treating several people on the sidewalk, where blood stains can be seen.
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An eye witness says he was driving northbound on Yonge Street when he saw several people being treated by bystanders and paramedics.
"I saw what seemed to be a police takedown on a Ryder truck and I saw more and more sirens, more and more police cars coming in,'' Phil Zullo tells The Canadian Press. "As I kept along Yonge Street and saw ....people strewn all over the road," he says. "I must have seen about five, six people being resuscitated by bystanders and by ambulance drivers. It was awful. Brutal."
This is a developing story, more to come.