A counsellor and youth worker are visiting classes at Kwayhquitlum middle school today, Thursday, to comfort students who may have witnessed a teacher being struck in a crosswalk at Flint Street and Prairie Avenue in Port Coquitlam this morning.
The teacher who is a teacher on call to fill in for regular staff is reportedly fine, but an ambulance was called to the scene and took the teacher to hospital, according to police andschool district officials.
RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said the incident occured at about 8:30 a.m. at the corner of Flint Street and Prairie Avenue when a car driving at a low speed of about 10 kph accidentally struck the teacher.
"While there were no serious injuries, the person who was hit and the driver were shaken up, but everyone was cooperative with police," McLaughlin said.
The driver was also handed a ticket for failing to yield to a pedestrian.
Peter Chevrier, School District 43’s manager of community relations told the Tri-City News that the teacher was hit by a car on their way in to work this morning.
“All indications are that they are fine but we are providing support as needed to staff and students in case there are questions or support is needed.”
Some children may have witnessed the incident and may be upset so parents were informed about it in case students wanted to discuss it at home.
The incident occurs as School District 43 prepares to launch a social media campaign to warn drivers to be more careful in school zones.
There will be positive messages each day about actions drivers should take, such as slowing down, obeying the 30 kmh school zone law, staying off cellphones and remaining vigilant in roads and parking lots around schools.
The push will be supported by the RCMP and the cities in the coming weeks as streets get slick and icy, the sky darkens earlier and there are lots of events around schools, such as winter concerts.
