The union representing Edmonton Transit drivers says blind spots in city buses may have played a role in the death of an 83-year-old woman Tuesday.

Steve Bradshaw, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 569, which represents 2,450 members in Edmonton who operate, service and maintain the transit system, expressed sympathy Wednesday to the family and friends of the elderly victim. He also offered support and sympathy to the transit operator involved.

His written statement then cited a safety concern with Edmonton Transit buses.

"This needless loss of life and deep trauma were precipitated by the unacceptably large and needless blind spots obstructing the driver's view," Bradshaw said. "Every 10 days, somewhere in North America, a pedestrian is severely injured or killed because of these blind spots. There are inexpensive and easy engineering solutions to this problem. The carnage has to stop."

He said the union is working with the City of Edmonton to ensure future vehicles purchased by Edmonton Transit include the improved designs and to consider ways to retrofit the existing fleet for maximum safety.

Bradshaw could not be immediately reached to elaborate on his concerns. City of Edmonton representatives also could not be reached for comment.

Edmonton Transit is offering support to any staff upset by online criticism following Tuesday's fatality.

"We sent out a message to all ETS staff, not just operators, acknowledging the situation from yesterday and acknowledging that our operators are our front-line employees," Edmonton Transit spokeswoman Jennifer Laraway said Wednesday.

"We're all affected by this and that if anyone is having a hard time with it, please reach out and talk to their supervisor because there are supports in place and we will connect them as they need them."

Edmonton police are continuing to investigate after the bus hit the woman in a marked crosswalkat 87 Avenue at 169 Street. They released no updates Wednesday.

Police said it was reported that she was lawfully crossing in a marked crosswalk from the north curb to the south curb. The woman, who has not been identified, is Edmonton's 19th traffic fatality of 2016.

Following the collision, remarks left on social networking sites and in media outlet comment sections condemned ETS drivers for reckless driving and speeding on the job.

"The operators read what gets posted about them on Facebook and there were a few comments that really hit low yesterday about this unfortunate situation. Those are read by our operators who take a lot of pride in their work in safely moving thousands of people every day," Laraway said.

"To paint them all with the same brush really does hit home and it really does break a lot of hearts over here because nobody wants to be part of a situation like this."

No charges have been laid at this time against the bus driver. The operator has been offered "peer support," a program where a fellow operator offers assistance.

ETS is co-operating with police, but also conducting its own investigation. "Once an outcome is determined, appropriate action will be taken and appropriate supports will also be put in place," Laraway said.

"What that is yet to be seen because we don't know where things are standing with the investigation at this time."

It's not known how many passengers were on the bus at the time of the fatality. Laraway said that any witnesses who talked to police and need support may have been offered cards from victims services with a number to call.