Kelowna woman dies in tragic cycling accident

KELOWNA — Bad, tragic timing in Kelowna as a woman who was riding a bike, slammed into the door of a parked car Tuesday evening. Kelowna RCMP say 38-year-old Patricia Keenan died in hospital two days later. Cst. Steve Holmes says Keenan was cycling behind a friend westbound on Bernard Avenue past Gordon Drive shortly after 5:30 p.m.

“The driver of a car, that was parked on Bernard Ave, opened the door of his vehicle to get out just as Keenan was riding by,” says Holmes. “Although she was wearing a helmet, the force of the collision with the car door and the roadway caused serious head injury and she was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital for treatment.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The driver of a car, that was parked on Bernard Ave, opened the door of his vehicle to get out just as Keenan was riding by," says Holmes. "Although she was wearing a helmet, the force of the collision with the car door and the roadway caused serious head injury and she was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital for treatment."

Holmes says this incident serves as a reminder to motorists.

“When you park parallel to a roadway, please take the time to check your side view mirror for approaching vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists before you exit your vehicle,” advises Holmes.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "When you park parallel to a roadway, please take the time to check your side view mirror for approaching vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists before you exit your vehicle," advises Holmes.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.