Two pedestrians were struck by a ‘57 Chevrolet Bel Air in the Sechelt Inn (formerly Driftwood Inn) parking lot on Friday evening as classic cars were parking following the Sleepy Hollow Rod Run.
BC Emergency Health Services received the call just after 8:30 p.m. Aug. 8, and provided emergency treatment to three patients, said a statement from paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites. Two patients were transported to hospital in stable condition while a third was transported by ground and air ambulances to hospital in serious condition.
Sunshine Coast RCMP said in a statement that two women suffered “significant but non-life threatening injuries” from the incident, but said they would not provide further information at this time. The file remains under investigation.
The annual Sleepy Hollow Rod Run kicks off a weekend-long celebration of vehicular excellence that spans the Sunshine Coast, from drag races at the airport in Sechelt to a show ‘n’ shine in Madeira Park. More than 400 vehicles participated in this year’s run, which started in Sechelt at 6:15 p.m., went up to Halfmoon Bay and looped back down. From all accounts, vehicles were parking for the night when the incident occurred.
“All of the beautiful, amazing cars started to come into our parking lot to park,” said Kate Legresley, rooms division manager for the Sechelt Inn, who witnessed the event. It was near dusk-ish, she said. She'd been looking forward to the event that sells out the hotel and sees regulars return annually.
“There were a few people milling about, checking in, hanging out in the parking lot, and a car was coming towards the building very slowly,” recounted Legresley. “And then all of a sudden, it was as if the car sort of lost control, and he came in quite quickly.”
The car struck two people, and damaged three other classic cars, she said. “It was like a domino effect with the cars, because the cars are quite old and they're quite heavy and they're quite big,” said Legresley.
She and other witnesses immediately called 911, and police, fire and ambulance responded.
Legresley said the incident was “completely unintentional” and the driver was “incredibly remorseful.”
The driver and the pedestrians knew one another, said Legresley, and at least some of the people involved were from off-Coast.
“They're a community of, very tight knit, car enthusiasts that every single year come to Sechelt,” said Legresley. “We love it when they come here, because they always bring such wonderful energy and just a real sense of community.
“So it was shocking, devastating. It was so incredibly unfortunate and awful that this happened,” she said. “I don't know what happened. Just again, a complete freak accident.”
Other vehicles involved in the incident appear to include another Bel Air and a 1937 Plymouth Roadster.
Reached by phone, Coasters Car Club president Richard Frappier said that as the incident was on private property –– and was after the rod run was over –– the club wasn’t in a position to comment. The car club organizes Sleepy Hollow annually.
