International student, 23, killed as SUV crashes into Granville Island store

A 23-year-old woman, a visiting international student, was struck and killed by an SUV in a popular Vancouver tourist area, police say.

The woman was pinned under the vehicle after it backed up and crashed intoa store on Granville Island.

Police wouldn't identify the victim's home country.

They said only that she was from another country and was studying in Canada.

"I heard a loudscreech, a bang, and then screaming," saidJen Harmenzon,who rushedto the crash scene from a store across the street.

Harmenzon saidoff-duty paramedics ran over to helpand ambulances arrived quickly.

"The back end of the SUV, actually half of it, was in the building. And there was somebody underneath. She didn't make it," said Harmenzon.

I heard a loudscreech, a bang, and then screaming.- Witness Jan Harmenzon

Harmenzon said an off-duty victimsservices worker was also on scene, comforting afriend of the woman who died.

Two other pedestrians received minor injuries.

The SUV crashedthrough the wall atMaiwa Handprints,a textile supply store at the corner of Anderson and Johnston streets, around 12:30 p.m.

Officials don't yet know what caused the collision in the busy area that's popular with tourists and shoppers.

Police saidthe driver of the SUV remained at the scene and is co-operating with investigators.