Video: Mayor says Burlington ‘hearts are broken’ over tragic death of 8-year-old
Published May 4, 2023 at 2:48 pm
The death of a child last night (May 3) has broken the hearts of Burlington residents.
This sentiment, expressed by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, captures the mood of the city today as more information is revealed about the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy and the community is grieving,” said the mayor during a discussion with Khaled Iwamura of halton.insauga.com.
The mayor went on to say it will take “many weeks and months” for the city to grieve the loss of the little girl who was killed outside of Burlington Central Public School just after 5 p.m.
According to Halton Regional Police, the 8-year-old had just gotten out of her parent’s car and was walking in the school’s driveway when she was hit by a vehicle that didn’t stop and left the scene.
She was taken to hospital but did not survive.
“We are standing with our community, standing by to assist where necessary,” the Meed Ward continued. “On behalf of all of my colleagues on City council and the staff at City Hall we express our deepest condolences to the family, to the entire school community, the friends and neighbours who knew the family and the first responders who were there attending at the scene.”
Since the incident, a growing memorial has been created in front of the school with people placing flowers and stuffed animals in front of a tree.
A 21-year-old man has since been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident in connection with the death. His name has not been released as police continue to investigate.
“Our hearts are broken and together with our community today we are all grieving,” the mayor said.
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