Amqui is the site of a ‘serious accident’ in Quebec. What we know

The Sûreté du Québec confirmed that two people were killed and nine others injured when a pick-up truck struck a group of pedestrians in Amqui, in the Gaspésie, on Monday afternoon.

Of the injured, two were seriously hurt while the other seven were under evaluation.

The two fatalities are two men, one in his 60s and the other in his 70s, police said.

SQ spokesperson Claude Doiron said the crash happened in downtown Amqui Monday afternoon on St-Benoît Boulevard, also known as Route 132.

The SQ have arrested a 38-year-old man, from the region, in connection with the crash. He was being questioned by police earlier in the evening.

The circumstances of the crash are not yet known but Doiron said the road, which cuts through the town, has sidewalks on either side.

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Police would not confirm reports the act was deliberate but say all hypotheses are being examined.

SQ officer Hélène St-Pierre also said it appears to be an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.

Earlier, a spokesperson with the regional health authority, CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent, confirmed that a code orange was launched at the Amqui Hospital, shortly after the collision.

Guy Turmel was unable to say how many people were treated at the local hospital but said resources had been mobilized to deal with the incoming patients.

A code orange signalizes a major event or emergency resulting in multiple casualties. In Quebec, a code orange is called when six or more people are injured.

Turmel added that five patients were being transferred to other hospitals because they required specialized care. Three he said were taken to Quebec City, one to Rimouski and one to Montreal.

Turmel, citing privacy reasons, was unable to comment on any of the patients’ conditions.

A psychological support team was also dispatched to the scene with Turmel saying many people people who witnessed the event were in shock.

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Turmel added that anyone needing psychological support can also call the provincial help line at 811 option 2.

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Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel said on Twitter that preliminary information suggested a “serious accident” took place in Amqui.

Bonnardel added he is monitoring the situation and that teams were being deployed to the area. Bonnardel is also keeping in touch with MNA Pascal Bérubé, who left Quebec City to be in his riding.

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Bérubé also took to Twitter and said he was troubled by what he had heard and noted the possibility of multiple injuries or deaths.

St-Benoît Boulvard was partially closed with alternating traffic in both directions to allow for the investigation.

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