By Canadian Press

Driver charged with first-degree murder in Quebec daycare bus attack

Feb 8, 2023 | 3:24 PM

LAVAL, Que. – The driver of a bus that crashed into a Montreal-area daycare this morning, killing two children, has been formally charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and assault.

Pierre Ny St-Amand, 51, appeared by video at the Laval, Que., courthouse and will remain detained.

Six other children were injured and transported to hospitals in Laval and Montreal, but doctors said their lives were not in danger.

Dr. Marc Girard, head of professional services at Sainte-Justin pediatric hospital says four injured children – two boys and two girls – were conscious when they arrived at the hospital and are being evaluated.

He added that one child was in intensive care.

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Officials at Laval’s Cite-de-la-Sante hospital say they received three crash victims, one of whom died.

The other two were under observation in the emergency department.

Witnesses who arrived at the daycare soon after the crash said several people had to restrain the driver after he got off the bus, adding that the suspect seemed delirious.

Hamdi Benchaabane, a neighbour to the daycare, says he and three others managed to subdue the driver, who he says stepped off the bus, removed all his clothing and started screaming.

One witness describes a scene of horror inside the daycare – saying the children were screaming and crying, they were all in a room.

Panicked parents tried to run down the road to the site, but were redirected to a nearby elementary school building that has been turned into a gathering point.

Laval police chief Pierre Brochet told reporters he was having trouble controlling his emotions and says he saw colleagues crying – adding, it’s difficult.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2023

The Canadian Press