A 58-year-old motorcyclist has died after a crash in Chemainus on Wednesday, July 12.
Just before 6 p.m. North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP were called to a collision at the intersection of Chemainus Road and Cook Street. RCMP say initial evidence indicates that the motorcyclist was travelling north on Chemainus Road, approaching Cook Street, when an SUV travelling south failed to yield while trying to make a left hand turn onto Cook.
The motorcyclist was taken to hospital, then airlifted to a trauma centre, but did not survive.
“Unfortunately, the 58-year-old motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries,” said RCMP spokesperson Corporal Alex Bérubé. “We can’t urge enough the need for road users to be aware of their surroundings, especially during summer time when there is a high increase of motorcycles on our roads.”
The crash remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-548-5522.
The RCMP provides the following safety tips:
• Scanning intersections carefully and take an extra moment to look for motorcycles when you’re turning left.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions that take your mind off driving or your eyes off the road.
• Allow at least three or four seconds of following distance when behind a motorcycle and plenty of lane space when you pass.
• Be ready to yield as a motorcycle is often closer than it seems. Remember it can be hard to tell how fast they’re travelling.