Pedestrian struck by car outside Western University, rushed to hospital in critical condition

A 20-year-old pedestrian was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being struck by a car outside the Western University gates early Thursday morning in London, Ont., resulting in road closures and power outages. 

Students who live across from the scene of the crash described a chaotic scene just after 2:30 a.m. ET. 

"We heard a loud bang and got woken up," said Bella Papineau, a fourth-year medical sciences student who lives across from the university gates. "There were flames and people screaming, people running, and a bunch of ambulances and fire trucks." 

The crash involved two cars and the pedestrian, police said. The 29-year-old driver of one of the cars was taken to hospital with serious injuries. 

"We heard sirens immediately and saw a car on fire," said Alyssa Marsh, who also lives near the crash site. "We heard someone yelling, 'Oh my God — my car, my car.' We had just gotten home a little bit earlier and were in bed when the bang woke us up. I don't know if it was the crash or the power going out." 

A light-grey and blue Honda CRV came to rest against a hydro pole that was sheered in half by the force of the collision, its front crumpled and bumper a few metres away. Another car, a black sedan, was so damaged it was impossible to tell the make, but a BMW engine cover was resting nearby. 

Police said the south- and north-bound lanes on Richmond would remain closed for the investigation Thursday morning for an indefinite period of time, and asked drivers to avoid the area.

Daytime classes at nearby King's University College have been moved online because of the power outage, the school told students.

At the scene, London Hydro crews were working to repair a pole damaged in the crash that knocked out electricity in the immediate area leaving hundreds of homes in the dark, according to London Hydro.  

CUPE workers who have been picketing outside the gates for almost two weeks were not there Thursday morning.  

That entrance into campus is one of several that have been closed by Western University since the strike began "to help ensure the safety of picketers and all community members," officials have said. Orange pylons and a small sign outside the gates has been signaling to drivers that there is no left turn onto University Drive.