Child hit and killed in 'motor vehicle collision' in St. Catharines, Ont., parking lot, police say

A child under 12 was killed outside a St. Catharines, Ont., aquatics centre Thursday after being hit by a vehicle in the parking lot, police say. 

Shortly after noon, Niagara Regional Police Service said on social media site X it was investigating a "serious motor vehicle collision" in the area of an aquatics centre at the corner of Carlton Street and Niagara Street.

In a news release, police said a child pedestrian was "struck and killed" by a motor vehicle in the parking lot of the centre. Police said the driver of the vehicle stayed "on scene" and is co-operating with the investigation. The police's Collision Reconstruction Unit is now leading the investigation. 

The Kiwanis Aquatics Centre is located at that intersection. The centre is usually open until 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, but the City of St. Catharines posted in the early afternoon the centre would be closed and programs cancelled "until further notice."

"There is no information on causes at this time, as the investigation is active," police said in its news release. Police constable Rich Hingley later told CBC Hamilton drugs or alcohol "are not a factor."

Police also asked that people avoid the area. Hingley said officers were anticipated to remain on scene for a few hours.

"If anyone must pick up anybody from the centre, they must use the far east end of the parking lot. The west end of the parking lot and surrounding park area will be closed for several hours to allow for investigation," police said.

There was no further information provided about the child. Police said the child's next of kin were notified.