Cyclists who took part in B.C.’s Ride to Conquer Cancer this weekend expressed shock and sadness at the news one of the riders, a 16-year-old boy, had died after being struck by a car along the route.
UPDATE – June 17: The teenage rider has now been identified as 16-year-old Xavier Pelletier.
The accident happened near the intersection of Smokey Point Boulevard and 204th Street in Marysville, near Arlington.
One of the riders who saw the accident said this was a stretch where the cyclists had bunched up together due to the approaching car. The teenager’s bike wheel hit another wheel and that caused him to fall into the path of the vehicle.
Global News’ Jill Bennett is following the story and said these are not big streets, and in sections like this, cyclists are to be in single file while cycling along. Riders say the 16-year-old tried to pass the group and it was an unfortunate coincidence the car was approaching at that time.
“There was a car coming the other way, and so the front rider said ‘car coming’, and so they bunched up a little more, but not enough people said that and he tried to get around, hit a wheel and then went down,” said ride participant Joe Groves who saw the accident.
The accident happened shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday.
Another rider gave the teenager CPR until emergency services arrived, but the young rider died of his injuries.
Authorities are not releasing any more details about him, only that he is a 16-year-old from Victoria, and was riding with his mother and uncle..
Questions about the safety precautions taken on the ride have arisen since the accident, but Doug Nelson, CEO and President of the BC Cancer Foundation, said safety is their top priority.
“Staff involved with The Ride to Conquer Cancer are working closely with local authorities and will assist in every way possible,” he said in a statement. “Safety is our top priority at The Ride to Conquer Cancer. Event organizers plan year-round to ensure the safety of everyone involved.”
“I have personally spoken with the family and shared my condolences, and they ask for privacy at this time. They request the rider’s personal information and details about the accident not be made public.”
The annual ride is the biggest fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation with 2,600 riders taking part this year. About $10.4 million was raised this year.
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