Crossing guard seriously injured after being hit by car in Kitchener
Westmount Road and Greenbrook Drive intersection to be closed for several hours
A crossing guard has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after she was hit by a car Thursday morning.
Police reported the guard was at Westmount Road and Greenbrook Drive near Forest Hill Public School in Kitchener's west side around 9 a.m. when she was hit by a car driving north on Westmount.
She had stepped into the crosswalk to help children cross to the school, police said.
No children had entered the crosswalk yet, Sgt. Jeff Cooper of the Waterloo Regional Police Service's traffic unit said.
The crossing guard "landed on the ground after striking the windshield of the vehicle," Cooper said.
A red car remained at the scene within yellow police tape marking off the intersection while officers investigated.
The intersection is expected to be closed for several hours.
Anyone who witnessed the collision is being asked to call police at 519-570-9777.
Drivers 'must obey' crossing guards
"This is just a reminder for all drivers to be careful, especially driving in the school zones. School is still in place for a couple more weeks, and we need to all be prepared to slow down and stop in school zones so that children can arrive safely," Cooper said.
School zones are well-marked and speeds are reduced to remind drivers to be more cautious, Cooper said.
Cooper said this is a good time to reminder drivers it is an offence to disobey a crossing guard.
"Crossing guards don't jump out and stop traffic. They wait for traffic to stop," he said. "The motorists must obey them when they are legally performing their duties."
Stephanie Longeway, communications officer with Waterloo Region District School Board, confirmed students were at the crosswalk at the time, but none were injured.
"Support resources have been arranged at the school for students who may have witnessed the incident," she said.