Spike in people hit by cars prompts warning from paramedics in Saskatoon
MD Ambulance calls for motorists to be aware, urges walkers to make eye contact with drivers
Saskatoon paramedics are speaking out following a spike in the number of pedestrians being hit by vehicles in the city.
We felt it was important to get this information out to the public immediately.- Troy Davies, MD Ambulance
Five people have been hit over the last five days.
"Typically our paramedics can identify when they see a spike occurring in certain emergency calls and will ask us to run the numbers," said Troy Davies with MD Ambulance.
Fatal encounter
Some of the incidents have been serious.
Last Friday, an 89-year-old woman died after being hit by a vehicle.
She was walking across Preston Avenue at East Drive when a vehicle hit her.
That same night, a man was seriously injured after being hit by a car while walking across 22nd Street.
"With a 45-per-cent increase during the same time period last year, we felt it was important to get this information out to the public immediately. We don't want to see any more deaths or traumas from pedestrians being struck by vehicles," said Davies.
The ambulance service is asking drivers in Saskatoon to be aware and also suggests that walkers make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.