Seven people in London, Ont., were injured when a driver crashed through an exterior wall and into a Friday morning fitness class at a shopping mall gym, police said.
Paramedics took five people to the hospital in serious condition and two others with minor injuries, all of them women, London police said. The driver and one other person remained in critical condition as of Friday afternoon, the police chief told a press conference.
“We have evidence and we have information that the vehicle accelerated into the building,” police Chief Thai Truong said.
The crash happened around 7:40 a.m. at Sherwood Forest Mall when a vehicle went through a brick wall and into a GoodLife Fitness gym. The driver slammed into an area of the gym where people were taking a class, pinning one person under the vehicle, police said.
Police did not immediately say whether any passengers were in the vehicle. Truong said he anticipated charges to be laid against the driver later Friday but did not say on what counts.
In response to a question from a reporter at the scene, Truong said there is no evidence to suggest terrorism was involved.
A GoodLife spokesperson thanked the first responders and said the company was co-operating with police.
“Our first priority is the well-being of our members and associates, and our thoughts are with everyone affected,” senior vice-president Tracy Matthews said in a statement.
The hole in the exterior wall was being supported by rescue struts, deputy fire Chief Gary Bridge said. A structural engineer was on-site to ensure it was stable, he said.