The Easter long weekend has got off to a tragic start following a cyclist fatality in Halfmoon Bay.
According to Sunshine Coast RCMP, shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night, April 2, emergency personnel responded to the fatality on Highway 101 near Iska Road in Halfmoon Bay.
RCMP, the Pender Harbour fire department, and paramedics were called after a 68-year-old male cyclist from Vancouver was found unresponsive on the side of the highway. Paramedics transported the male to Madeira Park, where an air ambulance landed and an advanced life support crew tried to revive the male before he was pronounced deceased.
The male had been cycling the Sunshine Coast with friends when the group suddenly noticed he wasn’t with them. They turned around and found his bicycle on the side of the road, with the male lying a short distance away. CPR was performed, but was unsuccessful in reviving the male, who had mentioned some tightness in his chest earlier in the day. The male was a veteran cyclist and had ridden the Sunshine Coast before. His name has not been released, as next of kin are still being notified.
“At this time it appears that the male went into medical distress while riding,” said Const. Harrison Mohr. “There is no indication that there was a collision or any other external cause. Our thoughts go out to the man’s family and friends. It sounds like he had a special bond with his fellow cyclists.”
