Incident Overview

A man in his 30s is facing a long and arduous recovery after suffering life-altering injuries from being struck by a transit bus near Metrotown on Thursday afternoon. The harrowing incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Central Boulevard, a busy thoroughfare that connects the Metrotown Mall to the Metrotown SkyTrain station - the latter being the second busiest station in TransLink's extensive network.

Witness Accounts

Witnesses reported seeing the bus stopped mid-turn as it exited the Metrotown bus loop, suggesting a serious collision took place during a routine transit operation. Emergency services rushed the victim to the hospital, where medical personnel are diligently working to assess the extent of his injuries.

Investigation and Safety Concerns

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by Metro Vancouver Transit Police. This particular area has seen increasing concerns over pedestrian safety. Just last November, a call for improved safety measures was made by the mall's head of security. They highlighted the potential dangers of the intersection, asserting it was only a matter of time before a serious accident occurred unless action was taken.

Historical Context

Notably, an elevated pedestrian walkway that previously connected the mall to the SkyTrain station was dismantled in 2016 during TransLink’s station upgrade, a controversial decision that has left many pedestrians exposed to the bustling traffic below.

Community Response

As authorities look into this shocking incident, community members are calling for urgent safety reforms to ensure such tragedies do not happen again. The intersection's design and traffic management are now under scrutiny, with many advocating for immediate changes to protect pedestrians and enhance overall safety in this vital transit area.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and remember: pedestrian safety should never be an afterthought!