The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) has cleared Ladysmith RCMP of wrongdoing after an incident in February where a man on an e-bike was injured.
At 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7th, a Ladysmith RCMP responded to a 911 call about a man who was seen waving at motorists in distress on the southbound side of the Trans Canada Highway near Westdowne Road.
Officers located the man riding a motorized bicycle on the northbound side of the highway near Platt Road.
Upon arrival, police attempted to conduct a traffic stop and in the process, the cyclists collided with a curb, causing serious injuries to the rider.
Video footage from the police vehicles confirms that officers followed the e-bike at a safe distance, blocking other traffic to protect the rider, and attempted to get the rider to stop with calls over the car’s loudspeaker.
The man continued to travel northbound on the Island Highway before crashing into a curb. The footage showed the man being ejected from the e-bike and struck a nearby speed signpost, causing a significant injury.
According to the IIO, police provided first aid to the man until paramedics arrived to transport the cyclist to hospital for treatment.
“The officers quick actions to provide first aid and obtain prompt medical assistance were instrumental in preventing a much more dire outcome for the man. Their actions were commendable in this regard,” said the IIO in its report.
