An 8-year-old boy is in critical condition at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver after being struck by a van Monday afternoon near his West Kelowna home.
Mounties received a report of a child being struck by a vehicle with suspected injuries June 22 at 4:36 p.m., at a townhouse complex located in the 2400 block of Ingram Road in West Kelowna.
The child, identified as Jonah Loring, was taken to Kelowna General Hospital initially but air-lifted to Children’s Hospital with his mother after doctors determined the extent of his injuries. Most significantly, he suffered broken ribs and both of his lungs have collapsed.
His brother and father have also gone to be with him, making the journey by car.
To help his family with the costs associated with being by his side a GoFundMe page set up in Jonah’s name.
“Candice and Steve are incredible people who work tirelessly to give their familiy a good life. Candice is always giving of her time and her talents to the UBC community and the Kelowna community; working as a mentor in the Aboriginal Room on campus, and as the President of the Indigenous students Association,” writes Amber Geissler on the fundraising page, noting that Jonah’s mother is a Chinook Scholar.
“As a student, there isn’t the opportunity to have a nest in place to cushion the financial burden of an emergency. Please help us to give back to this wonderful family in their time of need so that they can be all together as a family unit to help Jonah through this difficult journey.”
The driver who hit the child is 55, and remained on scene as police arrived. Police say the investigation is ongoing, but it’s unclear if they’re looking to press any charges. Townhouse complexes usually have a posted speed of 10 km/hour.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash, and has not yet spoken with police, is asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.
