An SUV crashed into a GoodLife Fitness gym at a northwest London shopping centre Friday morning, injuring seven women, including one who was pinned under the vehicle, London’s police chief says.
Addressing a news conference at Sherwood Forest Mall, where a gaping hole was left in an exterior wall by the vehicle that entered the gym, Chief Thai Truong said seven women taking part in a fitness class were injured.
In a subsequent news release, police said one person suffered critical injuries, one had serious injuries and five others were in fair condition.
The driver was among those injured and taken to hospital. Police did not release any other information about her.
Mike Gilpin, operations superintendent with Middlesex-London Paramedic Service, told The Free Press seven patients were transported to hospital, including one in critical condition, four with serious injuries and two in fair condition.
Emergency crews responded around 7:40 a.m. to what police described as a “mass-casualty motor vehicle collision” at the mall at the southwest corner of Gainsborough and Wonderland roads.
“What I can confirm . . . is we have evidence and we have information that the vehicle accelerated into the building,” Truong said at the news conference.
Investigators have found no evidence to suggest the crash was an act of domestic terrorism, he added.
Truong described the crash as a serious incident that has affected many people in the community.
“I know an incident like this is frightening and will leave many people looking for answers. Our investigators are on scene, dedicated resources have been assigned, and we are working carefully and thoroughly to determine the circumstances that led to this collision,” he said in the news release.
London Health Sciences Centre said it declared a Code Orange Level 1 – an external event requiring a co-ordinated emergency department response for multiple incoming patients – before clearing it later Friday morning.
Mai Huynh, co-owner of Top Fashion Nails, said she and her husband had just arrived at their salon when they noticed a blue vehicle parked nearby with a woman inside.
Huynh said she watched as the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed through the wall of the nearby gym.
“I heard the sound, it was so noisy,” she said. “I turned my head and saw the car hit the wall.”
Huynh said two men ran into the building shortly after the crash, while someone could be heard yelling inside.
“I was so scared when I saw that happen,” she said. “It happened right away, just one minute.”
Sai Krishna was working inside the Becker’s convenience store about 100 metres from the crash scene when he said he heard “a big noise.”
“It felt like it was an earthquake,” he said.
Krishna said emergency crews quickly arrived and paramedics took about seven people away from the scene.
Richard DeJonge, store manager at McHardy Vacuum, said he arrived after the crash and was met by people asking about a loud bang nearby.
DeJonge said police initially asked him to move his vehicle before he explained he worked at the store. He then helped officers obtain contact information for the property managers.
DeJonge said the area can be busy, but the scene was unlike anything he had seen there before.
“It’s sometimes a little crazy around here, but never this crazy,” he said. “When you see this much police line . . . this is not just an accident scene, and that is horrifying.”
Firefighters used rescue struts to stabilize the building.
The SUV remained inside the gym Friday afternoon and there was no timeline for when it would be removed.
The GoodLife Fitness club, which operates 24 hours a day, was closed Friday morning. A sign posted outside the mall entrance to the gym read: GoodLife closed due to emergency until further notice. Thank you for understanding.
Adam Roberts, GoodLife’s director of reputation, said it is a difficult day for staff and gym members.
“Our thoughts (are) with everybody who was affected by the crash . . . We are supporting people as best we can,” he said.
Roberts declined to provide more details about the crash.
“Right now, with the ongoing investigation, there isn’t a lot we can share.”
London Mayor Josh Morgan praised the co-ordinated response by police, paramedics and firefighters.
“We cannot thank the first responders enough for their response.”
In a statement, London Health Sciences Centre said the emergency departments at Victoria Hospital, Children’s Hospital and University Hospital continue to support patient flow and care, but warned patients may experience longer wait times.
Police said members of the major crime section and road safety section are gathering evidence, reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses.