Lankan woman dies in bus accident in Canada

Andrew PALAMARCHUK

A 59-year-old Scarborough woman who came from Sri Lanka 20 years ago was killed after a mini-school bus struck and dragged her at Steeles and Pharmacy avenues on Tuesday.

Nirmala Muthunayagam was on her way to work when she was hit at the southeast corner of the intersection around 7:20 a.m.

Police said the northbound school bus was making a right turn onto eastbound Steeles at the time. There are conflicting reports from witnesses as to whether Muthunayagam was crossing west-east or south-north.

"We are open to any help from witnesses," said Sgt. Tim Burrows of the traffic services unit.

"Because of the conflicting stories we have with this one, it's difficult at this point in time to determine who had the right of way, who was at fault. It's a given fact that somebody made a mistake, and we need to address that fact."

Muthunayagam's family told police she would normally cross from the south to the north side of Steeles and then take the bus that runs west on Steeles.

Muthunayagam was dragged five to 10 metres and was pronounced dead at the scene. The mini-school bus came to rest 300 metres away.

"Witnesses alerted him to the fact that he hit a pedestrian. He had travelled some distance down Steeles," Burrows said.

There were no children on board the bus. As police investigated, friends and family gathered at Muthunayagam's home on Crayford Drive.