The intersection of Dundas Street and Manning Avenue after a collision between a cyclist and automobile.Laura Rantin
A 52-year-old cyclist has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being struck by a car in downtown Toronto, police say.
The accident took place just after 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon at the corner of Dundas Street and Manning Avenue.
According to witnesses, the driver of a white Saturn sedan made a right turn out of a 7-Eleven store parking lot on the south side of Dundas, and the car began accelerating quickly. Witnesses say the vehicle struck the cyclist, who was stopped at a traffic light, knocking him onto the top of the car. The vehicle then sped forward and hit a lamppost and the cyclist was knocked to the ground.
Tim Ferreira, 26, who was in a car on the north side of Dundas Street driving east, said it looked as if the driver of the vehicle, who he described as an elderly woman, lost control of the car after she made the turn onto the street, subsequently hopping the curb and striking the cyclist. Mr. Ferreira says he immediately got out of his car and ran to the vehicle.
"Her feet were off the pedals, but the car was trying to accelerate but it was stuck against the poll," Mr. Ferreira said, adding that he had to turn off the car for her. "It was like the car was malfunctioning."
Mr. Ferreira said the cyclist was not wearing a helmet.
"As soon as she hit the pole, it threw him off and he smashed his head onto the sidewalk," he said.
Toronto police Sargent Murray Campbell says EMS workers took both the driver and the cyclist to St. Michael's Hospital. He described the cyclist's injuries as "very serious life-threatening injuries." He did not know the condition of the driver, but witnesses say she did not appear to be seriously injured.
A section of Dundas between Claremont Street and Manning Avenue has been cordoned off as police continue to investigate the scene of the accident.
The TTC says they have halted service of the 505 Dundas streetcar between Dundas West Station and Bathurst Street.