7 Hospitalized, Including Driver, After Car Slams Into Fitness Studio at London, Ont., Mall

Seven women were rushed to hospital after a vehicle crashed through the wall of a fitness centre at a London, Ont., mall during the early morning hours of June 12.

One of the women is in critical condition after becoming trapped beneath the vehicle, London Police Chief Thai Truong told reporters during an afternoon press conference. She was freed by emergency responders and life-saving measures were performed at the scene.

He said the driver is also in critical condition and the full extent of both women’s injuries is still being determined.

Paramedics confirmed that three others were also seriously injured and two had minor injuries.

The investigation remains in the early stages, Truong said, but added that criminal charges will be laid against the driver later in the day.

“I can confirm with you that we have evidence… that the vehicle accelerated into the building,” he said, but added there is no proof to suggest that terrorism was a factor.

Officers first responded to the Sherwood Forest Mall at roughly 7:40 a.m. after receiving reports that a vehicle had crashed through the centre’s rear brick wall into a studio used for group exercise at GoodLife Fitness. 

“Based on the information we have at this point, the vehicle entered the rear of the facility, breached the exterior wall, and entered an area where people were participating in a fitness class,” Truong said.

London Mayor Josh Morgan said the early morning emergency was one that has required a “massive, coordinated effort” that was “executed professionally.”

“Our sympathies and thoughts are not only with the families of those impacted, but the other people who witnessed the event or were in the area, as well as those who are regular patrons of the malls and the businesses who work in and come to work each and every day,” he said during the press conference. “There are many people who will be impacted by this event.”

The London Fire Department said the gaping hole in the building is currently being supported by rescue struts and a structural engineer is on site to ensure the building remains stable.

The vehicle will remain within the fitness area and will not be removed until the structural integrity of the building has been evaluated and supports are established, the department said.

Law enforcement is asking the community to avoid the area for the time being and said it would continue to update the public as information becomes available.

Patients seeking care at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) may have noticed a difference at the hospital this morning as staff responded to the influx of patients from the crash, officials said.

The hospital declared a Level 1 Code Orange, a measure taken when a community emergency arises, requiring the hospital to modify its usual operating processes to provide care for incoming patients. The alert has since ended.