A North Vancouver student suffered only minor injuries, despite being hit by a car while crossing the street on his first day of school Tuesday.
The 15-year-old Windsor secondary student had activated the flashing crosswalk lights on Mount Seymour Parkway and Broadview Drive and stepped into the intersection just after 2:30 p.m. when the collision happened.
“Other vehicles stopped or were slowing down and a 79-year-old female driver from North Vancouver drove through intersection, striking the 15-year-old in the crosswalk,” said Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics rushed the boy to Lions Gate Hospital where he was treated for “an extensive amount” of cuts and abrasions and slight whiplash, De Jong said.
“(They’re) minor injuries compared to what could potentially could have been received,” he said.
Police slapped the driver with a failure to yield to pedestrian violation ticket.
The incident happened despite a media blitz by police agencies around the province warning drivers to be extra cautious near schools and crosswalks, De Jong noted.
“It’s another timely reminder for all motorists to pay attention to flashing lights at crosswalks, be alert for kids on the sidewalks. . . . They do have the right-of-way once they step off the curb when the light’s activated,” De Jong said.
