FIVE dead and several seriously injured after rental van plows into ten pedestrians in Toronto before attempting to flee the scene

At least five people are dead after a white rental van mowed down up to ten pedestrians in Toronto on Monday.

Witnesses say the van mounted the curb on Yonge St. near Finch Ave, Toronto, at just before 1.30pm on Monday afternoon, and appeared to be 'targeting' people.

Toronto paramedic spokeswoman Kim McKinnon says first responders are on scene treating multiple patients but wouldn’t confirm the extent of the injuries. Local media reported that five were killed at the scene.

An injured pedestrian is transferred to a gurney by first responders after a van hit at least eight people in Toronto 

A white van has mowed down at least eight pedestrians in Canada , police say. Pictured, first responders treat some of the injured at the scene

The van fled the scene after striking the pedestrians. Cops were able to stop the driver a few blocks away

The driver responsible for the incident was arrested a few blocks away after the crash

The van fled the scene after striking the pedestrians. Cops were able to stop the driver a few blocks away.  

Footage from the scene showed the suspect pointing what appeared to be a gun at police before he was ordered to drop, and was arrested. He was taken into custody a few yards from a large white Ryder van which has serious damage to the front of the vehicle.

Another man, who appeared to have damage to his car, has also been arrested on Yonge St. although it's unclear if he's tied to the initial incident.

A reporter at the scene described a gory scene of bodies strewn 'all over Yonge St.'

'Some have been pronounced dead on scene,' Global News journalist, Jeremy Cohn, added.

'I've now walked up Yonge St from north of Sheppard to Finch. I have passed multiple dead bodies covered up, shoes and debris in the road. Witnesses tell me the white van appeared completely out of control.'

Another witness Jamie Eopni told CP24 that the van driver 'didn't really look like he cared where he was going or what he was doing.'

'It was crashing into everything. It destroyed a bench. If anybody was on that street they would have been hit on the sidewalk,' Eopni said.

'You could see exactly where he drove because of the tire marks. (He was) just crashing into the poles, scraping along.' 

TV helicopter pics of the hit and run shows an entire bus load of paramedics arriving at the scene in Toronto, Canada 

Toronto Police are at the scene and have shut down the street as first responders treat some of the injured on the sidewalk

The extent of the injuries isn't confirmed after the van struck up to ten people on Yonge St. near Finch Ave, Toronto

A multi-casualty incident has been declared and officials are asking people to avoid the area

Emergency vehicles blocked off the street and officials are asking people to avoid the area

The van was heading southbound on Yonge St. when it jumped the curb, hitting the group of pedestrians on the sidewalk, the Toronto Sun reports.

A waiter at a local cafe said one of the victims appeared to be a girl in serious condition.

Police are still looking for a motive and to determine whether it was accidental or not.

A multi-casualty incident has been declared and officials are asking people to avoid the area. Surrounding subway stations have been closed. 

Toronto Police are at the scene and have shut down the street as first responders treat some of the injured on the sidewalk, which shows blood stains from the impact.

The extent of the injuries isn't confirmed after the van struck up to ten people on Yonge St. near Finch Ave, Toronto (pictured) 

Cops blocked off the street with police tape after the horrific crash

Reports indicate the van was a rental truck from Ryder - a truck rental and supply firm.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau passed along his thoughts, from the House of Commons on Monday afternoon.

'Our thoughts are obviously with those affected by this incident,' he said.

Toronto Mayor John Tory added that he was on his way to the scene and it was a 'very tragic incident.'

'My thoughts are with those affected by this incident and the frontline responders who are working to help those injured,' Tory's statement read.