A 40-year-old resident of Canmore has been transported to a Calgary hospital after suffering undetermined injuries during a Tuesday evening crash.
Shortly after 9:00 p.m., RCMP, EMS and members of the Canmore Fire Department responded to the intersection of Bow Valley Trail and Railway Ave. W. following reports of a collision.
According to RCMP, a cyclist was travelling westbound on Bow Valley Trail when he was hit from behind by a Ford Ranger travelling the same direction. The cyclist, a 40-year-old man, slid under the truck and became pinned under the vehicle’s engine.
Prior to the arrival of emergency crews, several people lifted the truck off of the man. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet and his bicycle was not equipped with lights.
EMS transported the cyclist to Canmore Hospital but the extent of his injuries required additional medical treatment. STARS Air Ambulance airlifted the patient to a Calgary area hospital in stable, but serious condition.
RCMP continue to investigate the collision. Alcohol and speed have been ruled out as contributing factors.
RCMP members are reminding cyclists to obey the rules of the road and to take proactive measures to ensure they are visible to other motorists. The RCMP has released the following cycling safety tips:
- Always take a second look. You are sharing the road
- Stay out of blind spots! Make sure other drivers see you
- Be alert at intersections. Make eye contact with other drivers/riders before making your move
- Protect yourself with an approved bicycle helmet
- Ride defensively and make every effort to enhance your visibility
- Sharing the road is one of the keys to having other road users respect you as a cyclist
