Latest news with #CopsForCancer
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
'An outstanding human being': Cyclist dies after hit-and-run during charity training ride
Social Sharing One of two cyclists who were seriously injured in Prince George on Monday while training for the Cops for Cancer charity event has died, according to police. A statement from the Prince George RCMP says Shane Kelly succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. Mounties said Monday that the injured cyclists were an RCMP officer and a community member, later confirmed to be Kelly. "Shane was an outstanding human being," said Karin Piche, a friend and fellow cyclist in the north-central B.C. city. "He made everyone feel special." His death was announced the same day yet another rider was hospitalized following a vehicle incident Friday, and has prompted calls for improved safety conditions for riders and pedestrians in the north-central B.C. city. "It's something that we think about every time that we get on our bike, right, whether we're going to come home," Piche said. "There's so many people questioning whether they want to continue to ride." 1 arrested following search Cops for Cancer is an annual riding event that pairs civilian riders with RCMP officers to raise funds for cancer research. The two cyclists were riding on the side of the road, training for the event, when they were struck in a residential neighbourhood near the intersection of Ospika Boulevard North and McRae Avenue around 9 a.m. Monday. Witnesses to the aftermath of Monday's incident described debris scattered across the road, including a mirror from the vehicle that struck them. A police search followed, which included a helicopter, and one man was taken into custody. The RCMP officer was also seriously injured, police say. 'A great leader' Piche said Kelly was an active supporter of multiple cycling-based events, many of which supported charitable organizations, and described him as "a great leader." In a written statement, Prince George Mayor Simon Yu said, "This tragedy has deeply impacted our community," especially as it happened as Kelly was training for yet another fundraising effort. His commitment to helping others reflects the best of our community spirit," Yu said in the statement. B.C. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg also weighed in, writing that Kelly "leaves behind a legacy of volunteerism, having participated in other cancer-related fundraising efforts." Laura Nelson with Cops for Cancer wrote, "We are all heartbroken by this news. Shane was a caring and enthusiastic team builder from the very beginning." "Shane's teammates are devastated by the loss of one of their own in such tragic circumstances. We offer our sincere condolences and unwavering support to Shane's family and friends." Calls for improved safety as 3rd cyclist hospitalized Piche said the incident had also highlighted the dangers presented by cycling, noting that Kelly was an experienced rider who used safety equipment, and that he and the other rider were on the side of the road when they were struck. Many riders she has talked to this week, she said, had decided to start training indoors over safety concerns. Those fears were underscored by the news that yet another biker was hospitalized Friday, this time a 17-year-old who was riding just outside the downtown core. Police say the youth was taken to hospital with "serious injuries" after being struck near the intersection of Winnipeg and 11th Ave at around 9 a.m. Friday. The driver in that case remained on the scene and was co-operating with investigators, the RCMP said. The incidents come just as the city launches a review of its active transportation plan, which it describes as an effort to make it easier and safer for people to get around the community on modes of transportation other than vehicles, including cycling, walking and newer e-scooters and bikes. As part of the initiative, the city has asked people to contribute to an online map highlighting problem areas where they have been made to feel unsafe. As of Friday afternoon, it is dotted with dozens of notes with participants sharing close calls or tragic incidents they've witnessed or experienced. Piche said she hopes the week's tragedies will make more people think about the rules of the road and the changes needed to improve safety for everyone in the community. "I think this incident could bring to light the need for change," she said. Investigation ongoing Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the hit-and-run that resulted in Kelly's death. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the area and may have video surveillance or dashcam footage of the vehicle's driving behaviour before and after the incident is asked to call the Prince George RCMP non-emergency number at 250-561-3300. Those with condolences or well-wishes are being asked to bring them to the Prince George RCMP detachment at 455 Victoria Street, which will be passed along to the family when they are ready to receive them.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Teenage cyclist in hospital after collision in Prince George, B.C.
An RCMP cruiser is pictured with the logo painted on the side. (Source: Facebook) A teenager is in hospital with serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle while cycling in Prince George, B.C. The 17-year-old was found by Mounties at the intersection of Winnipeg Street and Eleventh Avenue after being hit just before 9 a.m. Friday, Prince George RCMP said in a release. The teenager was taken to hospital with serious injuries. According to Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the driver remained at the scene and is 'co-operating fully' with the police investigation. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or may have relevant cellphone or dash camera video to contact the Prince George RCMP's non-emergency line at 250-561-3300. The incident marks the second cyclist collision in Prince George this week, after two cyclists training for the Cops for Cancer Tour de North charity bike ride were struck by an alleged hit-and-run driver on Monday. One of the cyclists died in hospital Thursday, while the other, a Prince George RCMP officer, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Cyclist training for Cops for Cancer dies after hit-and-run in Prince George, B.C.
One of two cyclists who were seriously injured in Prince George on Monday while training for the Cops for Cancer charity event has died, according to police. A statement from the Prince George RCMP says Shane Kelly succumbed to his injuries on Thursday. The two cyclists were riding on the side of the road when they were struck near the intersection of Ospika Boulevard North and McRae Avenue around 9 a.m. Monday. The statement says Kelly was a proud supporter of the Cops for Cancer Tour de North ride and had previously supported other Canadian Cancer Society fundraising events such as Relay for Life. "We are all heartbroken by this news. Shane was a caring and enthusiastic team builder from the very beginning," said Laura Nelson with Cops for Cancer. "Shane's teammates are devastated by the loss of one of their own in such tragic circumstances. We offer our sincere condolences and unwavering support to Shane's family and friends." Kelly was riding with an RCMP officer, who remains injured. Police say the investigation is ongoing. At the time, Mounties said they located a suspect vehicle and took a man into custody. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the area and may have video surveillance or dashcam footage of the vehicle's driving behaviour before and after the incident is asked to call the Prince George RCMP non-emergency number at 250-561-3300. Those with condolences or well-wishes are being asked to bring them to the Prince George RCMP detachment at 455 Victoria Street, which will be passed along to the family when they are ready to receive them. "Shane's family is taking time to grieve privately and has requested space during this difficult period.... Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated," states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the media relations officer for the Prince George RCMP.
CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
2 cyclists training for Cops for Cancer ride seriously injured in Prince George, B.C., hit-and-run
RCMP in Prince George, B.C., say a man is in custody following a hit-and-run that seriously injured two cyclists — one of them a police officer — who were training for a charity event. Mounties said the collision took place near the intersection of Ospika Boulevard North and McRae Avenue around 9 a.m. PT Monday. The two cyclists were riding on the side of the road when they were struck, police said. The pair was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Officers located a suspect vehicle — a newer model, black Ram 1500 truck — and took a man into custody, police said. Mounties said Monday that the injured cyclists are an RCMP officer and a community member who were on a training ride for the Cops for Cancer Tour de North fundraiser. "This incident has impacted us on a number of levels today, as we work to complete a fulsome investigation while at the same time trying to absorb the information that a member of our policing family was one of those injured," Supt. Darin Rappel, officer in charge of the Prince George RCMP, said in a statement. "Investigations such as this take on a different nuance than we typically experience." Cops for Cancer Tour de North is a seven-day event where police agency and emergency service personnel cycle across northern B.C. to raise funds for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society. "Since beginning their training in May, our riders have formed a close-knit team, united by a shared purpose of changing the future of childhood cancer by raising funds, hope and awareness," said Laura Nelson, manager for Cops for Cancer, in a statement. "The two riders injured are not only valued teammates — they are community leaders and role models dedicated to making a difference. This tragic incident is felt deeply by the Canadian Cancer Society and Cops for Cancer community."
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Cops for Cancer charity riders identified as victims of B.C. hit and run
Two cyclists who were seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash in northern British Columbia on Monday have been identified as riders training for the upcoming Cops for Cancer Tour de North charity ride. The Canadian Cancer Society and the Prince George RCMP say the victims – a police officer and a community member – were cycling together to train for the event benefitting childhood cancer research when they were struck. A statement from the local RCMP says the cyclists were transported to hospital with serious injuries after they were hit by a pickup truck near the intersection of North Ospika Boulevard and McRae Avenue in Prince George. First responders were dispatched to the crash scene around 9 a.m. The suspect vehicle, identified as a newer model, black Dodge Ram 1500, reportedly fled the scene but was later located by police and the man driving the truck was arrested, according to investigators. The injured cyclists are part of a close-knit team that is 'united by a shared purpose of changing the future of childhood cancer by raising funds, hope and awareness,' Cops for Cancer manager Laura Nelson said in a joint statement with the RCMP. 'This tragic incident is felt deeply by the Canadian Cancer Society and Cops for Cancer community,' she added. 'Our hearts and thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult time.' Prince George RCMP Supt. Darin Rappel says police are conducting a through investigation of the collision 'while at the same time trying to absorb the information that a member of our policing family was one of those injured.' North Ospika Boulevard remained closed to traffic for much of the day Monday while investigators gathered evidence from the crash scene. 'Investigations such as this take on a different nuance than we typically experience,' due to the involvement of an RCMP member, Rappel said in the joint statement. Police are asking anyone with information or images related to the pickup truck's driving behaviour before or after the collision to contact investigators. 'The vehicle travelled from where the incident occurred and turned left on McDermid Drive, then left again on Tabor Boulevard,' Cpl. Jennifer Cooper said in an earlier statement on the investigation. 'Witnesses report seeing the vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed. If anyone has information that can inform this investigation further, please contact the Prince George RCMP non-emergency line at 250-561-3300.' The Cops for Cancer Tour de North event takes place over seven days in September, with riders travelling more than 700 kilometres between Prince George and Prince Rupert.
