Family mourns after girl, 13, killed by Edmonton bus

Familymembers are mourning the death of a 13-year-old girl after she was struck and killed by a Edmonton Transit System bus in a marked crosswalk Saturday evening.

Relatives have identified the victim as Mariama Sillah.

Her death marks the second time in two months that a pedestrian has been killed by an ETS bus.

The collision occurred at around 7:40 p.m. near 137th Avenue and 40th Street. The girl, who police initially said was 14 years old,was crossing 137th Avenue southbound at 40th Street when she was hit.

The girl was dragged a short distance as the bus made a left turn onto 137thAvenue from 40th Street southbound.

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Emergency crews were called to the scenewhere the girl was declared dead.

Police said the bus didn't stop after the collision, and investigators believe the bus driver struck the girl unknowingly. The bus that police believewas involved in the collision was found at Coliseum Station later Saturday night.

The Edmonton Police Service Major Collision Investigation Unit continues to investigate, and no charges have been laid. Speed and alcohol are not believed to have been factors in the collision.

This is the24thtraffic fatality in Edmonton this year.

Insp. Gary Godziuksaid the intersection where the collision happened is marked with traffic lights, and the pedestrian was walking alone at the time.

There were passengers on the bus and police are looking to speak with witnesses, he said.

"I'm concerned that there's 24 fatalities on our city's streets 24is too many," Godziuk said. "Unacceptable by all accounts. We wish it was zeroand we're working hard to achieve that."

The City of Edmonton released a statement Sunday afternoon saying the safety of passengers, pedestrians andother drivers is a priority for ETS, and that the city will work with EPS throughout their investigation.

"We are deeply concerned about this incident," the statement said. "Internally, we will promptly launch a full operational review and take action to minimize the potential for any future tragic event."

City spokesperson Melissa Lovattsaid ETS peer support services have been offered to the driver involved, but could not comment further on the details of the collision.

"Because it's still under investigation by EPS we can't comment on the collision, but we do express our deepest sympathies to the family of the pedestrian," Lovatt said."It is a very terrible tragedy."

We do express our deepest sympathies to the family of the pedestrian. It is a very terrible tragedy.- Melissa Lovatt, City of Edmonton spokesperson

The Amalgamated Transit UnionLocal 569, which represents ETS drivers in Edmonton, issued a statement on Sunday expressing support for the "heavily traumatized"bus driver.

Union president SteveBradshawoffered condolences for the victim's family and friends.

"While we know that no amount of sympathy can make up for this tragic loss, we hope that some comfort comes from our deep feelings of commiseration,"Bradshawsaid in a statement.

Driver had clean record, union president says

In an interview,Bradshaw saidthe union is still trying to piece togetherwhat happened. He said they have been told the girl was on the left side of the bus at the time of the collision.

The driver had 20 years of experience with ETS and a clean record, he added.

"It may be that it involved the infamous blind spot that operators have to contend with," Bradshaw said.

"It was dark out, it was busy. We don't know all of the facts but these are some of the considerations that may come into play. Was the blind spot a factor? We don't know."

On Oct. 4, an 83-year-old woman was killed after being struck by an ETS bus in a marked crosswalk in west Edmonton.

The driver of that bus was charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk.

That collision renewed concerns about blind spots on city buses that interfere with a driver's view.

"We have a significant issue with blind spots on our buses," Bradshaw said in October.

"These make a massive blind spot for our operators, made worse when a driver is making a left-hand turn."