Seven people, including the driver, were injured after a vehicle crashed through the wall of a fitness studio at a mall in London, Ontario, on Friday morning. The crash turned a routine workout into a scene of chaos in a matter of seconds. Police say charges are expected as they investigate what caused the vehicle to plow into the building.
The incident happened at around 7:40 a.m. at the Sherwood Forest Mall in the west end of the city. According to police, a Jeep Wrangler drove into the west side of the building, striking the area occupied by a GoodLife Fitness centre. The vehicle punched straight through the exterior wall and into the space where people had gathered.
At the time of the crash, roughly 30 women were taking part in a new fitness class inside the studio. One participant described the terrifying moment the vehicle broke through, saying the room exploded and everything flew, including glass and bricks from the wall. The class that had been underway moments earlier was instantly thrown into panic.
Paramedics responding to the scene took several of the injured to hospital. Five people were transported in serious condition, while two others were treated for minor injuries. All of those hurt in the crash were women, underscoring how many members of the class were caught in the path of the vehicle.
The injuries were severe for some of those involved. The driver and one other person remained in critical condition as of Friday afternoon. Among the injured was a woman who had been pinned underneath the vehicle, a detail that pointed to just how far the car had driven into the studio before coming to a stop.
Investigators have focused on how the vehicle ended up inside the building. They say it appears the car accelerated just before it hit the wall. The city's police chief, Thai Truong, said authorities have evidence and information that the vehicle accelerated into the building, rather than simply rolling or drifting into it.
Police have said they expect charges to be laid as the investigation continues. For now, the focus remains on the recovery of those who were hurt, particularly the two people left in critical condition. The crash has shaken a community that gathered for an early morning class and instead found itself at the center of a sudden and frightening emergency.