According to the police, one of the two cyclists who were seriously injured in Prince George while training for the Cops For Cancer charity event has died, according to the police.
A statement by Prince George RCMP says that Shane Kelly succumbed to his wounds on Thursday.
Mounties said Monday that the injured cyclists were an RCMP officer and a community member, then confirmed that it was Kelly.
“Shane was an outstanding human being,” said Karin Piche, a friend and companion cyclist in the central city of BC. “He made everyone feel special.”
His death was announced the same day that another rider was hospitalized after an incident of the vehicle on Friday, and has caused calls to improve the security conditions for passengers and pedestrians in the city of BC-North Central.
“It’s something we think every time we enter our bicycle, right, if we are going home,” said Piche?
“There are so many people questioning if they want to continue riding.”
1 arrested after search
Cops for Cancer is an annual riding event that combines civil corridors with RCMP officers to raise funds for cancer investigation.
The two cyclists were traveling to the side of the road, training for the event. , When they were beaten in a residential neighborhood near the intersection of Ospika Boulevard North and McRAe Avenue around 9 am on Monday.
Witnesses of the sequelae of Monday’s incident described debris scattered across the road, including a mirror of the vehicle that hit them.
He followed a police search, which included a helicopter, and a man was arrested.
The RCMP officer was also seriously injured, says the police.
‘A great leader’
Piche said Kelly was an active defender of multiple cycling -based events, many of which supported charities, and described him as “a great leader.”
In a written statement, Prince George Mayor Simon Yu said: “This tragedy has deeply impacted our community,” especially as happened when Kelly was training for another fundraising effort.
His commitment to help others reflects the best of our community spirit, “Yu said in the statement.
BC Public Security Minister Garry Begg also intervened, writing that Kelly “leaves a legacy of volunteering, after participating in other efforts to collect funds related to cancer.”
Laura Nelson with Cops for Cancer wrote: “We are all disconsolate by this news. Shane was an attentive and enthusiastic team builder from the beginning.”
“Shane’s teammates are devastated by the loss of one of his in such tragic circumstances. We offer our sincere condolences and unwavering support for Shane’s family and friends.”
Call to improve security as the 3rd hospitalized cyclist
Piche said the incident had also highlighted the dangers presented by cycling, noting that Kelly was an experienced rider who used security equipment, and that he and the other pilot were next to the road when they were beaten.
Many runners who have talked this week, he said, had decided to start training indoors about security concerns.
These fears were underlined by the news that another motorcyclist was hospitalized on Friday, this time a 17 -year -old who was traveling outside the city center.
Police say that the young man was taken to the hospital with “serious injuries” after being beaten near the intersection of Winnipeg and 11th AVE around 9 am on Friday.
The driver in that case remained in the scene and was cooperating with the researchers, said the RCMP.
Incidents occur just when the city launches a review of its active transport plan, which describes as an effort to facilitate and safer for people to move through the community in modes of transport other than vehicles, including cycling, walking and electronic stamps and newer bicycles.
As part of the initiative, the city has asked people to contribute to an online map that highlights the problematic areas where they have been made insecure. Until Friday afternoon, it is dotted with dozens of notes with participants who share close calls or tragic incidents that have witnessed or experienced.
Piche said he hopes that the tragedies of the week will make more people think about the road rules and the necessary changes to improve safety for all in the community.
“I think this incident could bring to light the need for a change,” he said.
Ongoing research
Meanwhile, the police continue to investigate the blow and escape that resulted in Kelly’s death.
Anyone who has witnessed the incident or that was in the area and that may have video surveillance images or dashcam of the driving behavior of the vehicle before and after the incident is asked to call the non-emergency number Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300.
Those with condolences or discomfort are asked to take them to Prince George RCMP detachment in 455 Victoria Street, which will be transmitted to the family when they are ready to receive them.
