OPP INVESTIGATE CYCLIST COLLISION

(HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ON) At approximately 9:00 pm on Wednesday August 7, 2013 Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a cyclist and motor vehicle collision on County Road 45 at Danforth Road in Hamilton Township just north of the Town of Cobourg.

OPP officers attended to the collision scene on County Road 45 with Northumberland Emergency Medical Services (EMS) where two male cyclists travelling southbound at a high rate of speed on BMX bicycles had crossed the path of a northbound 2005 Dodge Caravan as it was turning left onto Danforth Road. .

The first cyclist, a 17 year old, was successful getting across the road, but the second cyclist, a 16 year old, was struck by the van. The youth was sent over the hood of the van and airborne into the west ditch, narrowly missing a hydro pole. The youth was transported to a local hospital with minor non-life threatening injuries by EMS. A witness indicated that neither cyclist was observed until the collision occurred. This collision had the potential to be more serious or even fatal because of the speed and the impact on the cyclist.

Both youths were charged under the Highway Traffic Act for failing to wear a helmet and failing to have lights on bicycle. The youths were also issued warnings for other equipment offences on their bicycles. The 63 year old male driver of the Dodge Caravan was not charged.

MEDIA NOTE: Please refer to media release submitted on July 29, 2013 on bike safety tips from Northumberland OPP for more information.

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