A local man has died after his car collided with a hydro pole and tree in Gibsons.
The accident took place Wednesday, May 23 in the 1000 block of Gibsons Way. At 10:10 a.m. police received a report of the crash, and multiple emergency first-responders arrived on scene and closed the road temporarily. The driver was pronounced deceased prior to being loaded on to a medical helicopter for transport.
“We do have some indication it is possible the male suffered a medical emergency just prior to the crash, as witnesses reported seeing him slumped over the steering wheel just before the vehicle crashed into the hydro pole,” said Const. Karen Whitby of the Sunshine Coast RCMP.
A local veterinarian was also called to help remove a dog from the vehicle, which had also been injured in the collision.
The accident caused a power outage in the area, including Sunnycrest Mall, which lasted several hours.
Sunshine Coast RCMP were still on scene as of 2 p.m. Wednesday and the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service has been called in from the Lower Mainland to assist with the investigation. BC Coroners Service is also investigating.
Next of kin have been notified and are currently with the RCMP’s victim services workers.
