A startling collision unfolded Thursday afternoon near Guildwood Station in Scarborough, as a Via Rail train unexpectedly struck a snowplow.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. amidst the city’s most significant snowstorm of the season, bringing transportation to a standstill and triggering widespread delays.
Toronto Police responded to the scene, near Scarborough Golf Club and Kingston Roads, confirming the unusual accident. Remarkably, initial reports indicated no injuries among the train’s 200+ passengers.
The snowplow involved was a sidewalk clearing vehicle, and investigators are currently working to determine the sequence of events that led to the impact.
Via Rail anticipated delays of three to four hours for the Ottawa-bound train, with ripple effects causing delays of up to 90 minutes for other arrivals.
The disruption extended beyond Via Rail, significantly impacting GO Train services during the peak of rush hour. Multiple routes experienced cancellations and substantial delays.
GO Transit reported that while trains were moving on the Lakeshore East line, a combination of the collision and deteriorating track conditions due to the weather were responsible for the ongoing service disruptions.
Scarborough Golf Club Road was temporarily closed between Dale Avenue and Confederation Drive, forcing drivers to seek alternative routes as authorities managed the aftermath.
Meanwhile, Peel Regional Police are investigating a separate incident: a hit-and-run that occurred on January 9th in Brampton.
A pedestrian, an adult woman, suffered multiple fractures after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene without stopping to offer assistance.
Police are searching for a white, four-door Honda Civic, model years 2010-2015, believed to be involved. The vehicle likely sustained frontal damage.
Investigators have obtained CCTV and dashcam footage and are appealing to the public, particularly automotive repair shops, for any information regarding the damaged vehicle.
Authorities strongly advise the driver of the Civic to seek legal counsel and turn themselves in. Anyone with information is urged to contact Peel Police.
In a separate matter, police are also investigating an incident involving a gunshot fired at a Brampton business, an assault on demonstrators, and a teen facing charges related to “swatting.”
As Toronto approaches coyote mating season, residents can also anticipate an increased presence of these animals within the city limits.
