Two children dead, six injured after bus crashes into Montreal-area daycare

The driver began took off all his clothes and began yelling after the crash.

Published: February 8, 2023 1:39pm

Updated: February 8, 2023 2:04pm

Two children are dead and six more are wounded after a city bus ran into a daycare center Wednesday morning in suburban Montreal, Canada.

The driver, described as a 51-year-old man, is in custody and faces homicide and reckless driving charges, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

In total, 12 people required medical attention, and eight were hospitalized, officials said.

Witness Hamdi Ben Chaaban, who lives in the neighborhood, Laval, said the driver began acting erratically after the crash. 

"From what I saw, it wasn't an accident," Ben Chaabane said. "He opened the door. He took off all his clothes. He was totally naked. We don't know why he did that. We dove on him. We tried to subdue him."

He said the driver "didn't stop yelling," but "he wasn't saying words."

Bystanders attempted to rescue children from under the bus and rubble until the fire department arrived, Chaabane also said.

Laval Mayor Stephane Boyer said it is unclear whether the suspect was connected to the daycare.

"There is a hypothesis that this was an intentional act but it will have to be confirmed by the investigation," he said.

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