Fiery Crash Leaves Two Dead In Richmond Hill
Posted November 1, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CityNews has learned the identity of one of two fatal victims claimed in a fiery crash in Richmond Hill late Friday night.
Atena Arabsalmany, a 21-year-old student at York University, was one of three young women inside a black Mazda 3 when it collided with a Jeep Liberty on Bayview Avenue, just north of 16th Avenue around 10:30pm.
The sports car was reportedly travelling south when its driver lost control and crossed the roadway. The impact triggered a massive fire.
Emergency crews and other drivers immediately rushed to the aid of those inside the blazing cars, pulling two of the three passengers – all in their early 20s – from the Mazda.
“We tried to drag them out, but it was too late to get them out,” said witness Pirooz Ebrhimi.
“The person sitting in the back pretty much just stayed in the car while the fire got too intense.”
The victim trapped in the vehicle died at the scene. Another was rescued, but was also pronounced dead a short time later.
A third person was transported with life-threatening injuries, including severe burns, to Sunnybrook.
None of the passengers inside the Jeep was seriously injured. They were taken to York Central Hospital, treated and released.
But some of those who rushed to help did not escape unscathed.
Five officers from York Regional Police were taken to York Central with smoke inhalation and minor burns, and several Good Samaritans were also transported to hospital. They have all since been released.
“Police officers were giving civilians fire extinguishers too so we could put it out,” Ebrhimi recalled. “It wasn’t doing anything.”
Cops are looking for the driver of a gold-coloured Toyota Corolla who may have witnessed the collision.
Bayview Ave north of 16th Ave. was closed to traffic as police completed their investigation, and HazMat crews cleaned up the road.
If you saw anything, call York Regional Police Traffic Reconstruction Unit 905-764-1300 x 7704 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
