Driver plows through entrance of West Vancouver Whole Foods
Authorities in West Vancouver say it's lucky more people were not harmed when a driver crashed his car through the entrance of a Whole Foods Friday, coming to a stop in the busy produce section.
Police, firefighters and multiple ambulances were called to the Park Royal location of the grocery store around 11:30 a.m., according to first responders. Images from the scene show an entrance that has been completely destroyed, mangled pieces of metal and piles of broken glass behind police tape.
A spokesperson for BC Emergency Health Services said paramedics took two people to the hospital in stable condition. Police on scene confirmed that one was the 80-year-old driver and another was a shopper who had been "brushed" by the vehicle.
"It’s not every day that we see something like this, and we are very, very fortunate that not more people were injured as a result of this," West Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Const. Nicole Braithwaite said, adding there were about two dozen people in the produce department at the time.
Assistant Fire Chief Garrith Michael says the car crashed into the store at a "high rate of speed" and says first responders treated several people at the scene for shock. He also says he was initially concerned about the possibility of a "mass casualty event." Like Braithwaite, he says the outcome was "extremely fortunate" given the potential for serious harm.
The cause of the crash has not been determined.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

U.S. judge rules Donald Trump defrauded banks, insurers while building real estate empire
A U.S. judge ruled Tuesday that Donald Trump committed fraud for years while building the real estate empire that catapulted him to fame and the White House, and he ordered some of the former president's companies removed from his control and dissolved.
BREAKING Hollywood writers strike declared over after boards vote to approve contract with studios
Leaders of the screenwriters union declared their nearly five-month-old strike over Tuesday after board members approved a contract agreement with studios, bringing Hollywood at least partly back from a historic halt in production.
Anthony Rota resigns as House Speaker amid condemnation for inviting Nazi veteran to Parliament
Anthony Rota has resigned from his prestigious position as Speaker of the House of Commons over his invitation to, and the House's subsequent recognition of, a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War. Now, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is facing calls to apologize, and investigate.
ER doctor challenging 'toxic environment' in Ontario hospital after secret investigation based on unfounded murder allegation
After more than 30 years of caring for critically ill patients in emergency and intensive care, Dr. Scott Anderson is preparing to face off against the hospital where he works in London, Ont., in a case described as "unusual" by lawyers and potentially costly for Ontario taxpayers.
Is broadband essential, like water or electricity? New net neutrality effort makes the case
Landmark net neutrality rules rescinded under former President Donald Trump could return under a new push by U.S. Federal Communications Commission chair Jessica Rosenworcel. The rules would reclassify broadband access as an essential service on par with other utilities like water or power.
Comedian Rob Schneider cancels trip to Canada after veteran who fought for Nazis honoured in Parliament
Comedian Rob Schneider says he has cancelled an upcoming visit to Canada in light of last week’s incident in which a Ukrainian veteran who fought with a Nazi unit in the Second World War was given a standing ovation in the House of Commons.
How reindeer on an Arctic island survived thousands of years through inbreeding
An eye-brow raising phenomenon may be behind the success of Svalbard reindeer, researchers say, according to a new study analyzing how the species used inbreeding to survive in the Arctic archipelago.
How was veteran Yaroslav Hunka's military unit linked to the Nazis?
During the height of the Second World War, Nazi Germany formed a division of Ukrainian volunteers to fight against Soviet Russia. One of its members was controversially honoured with two standing ovations in Canada's Parliament this week.
15 potential gravesites found near former Yukon residential school
Yukon First Nation elder Sandra Johnson says the discovery of 15 potential graves near the site of a former residential school has "uncovered long-buried wounds."