Van strikes pedestrians in Toronto, leaving 10 dead, 15 injured, police say; driver in custody

TORONTO, Canada – Police said 10 people are dead and 15 are injured after a van struck pedestrians in Toronto.

The person suspected of driving the van into the pedestrians is in custody, officials said.

The incident happened at the busy intersection of Yonge Street and Finch Avenue, according to the Toronto Police Service.

Police in Canada said the van has been found and the driver is in custody. Police spokeswoman Meaghan Gray says the van apparently jumped the curb, but the reason is not yet known.

Authorities said at least seven people were hospitalized with injuries while a photo from the scene showed an apparent body on the sidewalk, but police did not immediately provide details on casualties

"At this point it's too early to tell what if any motive there was. We are also unable right now to tell the extent or the number of persons injured," Toronto police spokeswoman Meaghan Gray said.

A witness, Phil Zullo, told Canadian Press that he saw police arresting a man who had been driving a Ryder rental truck and saw people "strewn all over the road" where the incident occurred.

"It must have seen about five, six people being resuscitated by bystanders and by ambulance drivers," Zullo said. "It was awful. Brutal."

CTV's Peter Akman reports at least four in critical condition. 

The incident occurred Monday as Cabinet ministers from the G7 countries were gathered in Toronto to discuss a range of international issues in the run-up to the G7 meeting near Quebec City in June.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his sympathies for those involved. "Our hearts go out to everyone affected," Trudeau said in Ottawa. "We are going to have more to learn and more to say in the coming hours."

Toronto paramedic spokeswoman Kim McKinnon says first responders are on scene treating multiple patients but wouldn't confirm the number or severity of injuries.

Police have shut down the Yonge and Finch intersection following the Monday afternoon incident and Toronto's transit agency says it has suspended service on the subway line running through the area.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.