A motorcycle rider suffered life-threatening injuries in a single-vehicle crash in Saanich on Friday night.
Saanich police say the 22-year-old rider lost control of their motorcycle and veered off the road near the intersection of Tillicum Road and Gorge Road West around 11 p.m.
BC Emergency Health Services says two ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and the rider was the only patient transported to hospital.
Saanich police say the rider’s injuries were initially categorized as serious, but were upgraded to life-threatening on Saturday.
“[The rider] was in a bush area with significant injuries. That rider was transported to hospital in serious condition. At this point we understand the injuries the rider’s facing is potentially life-threatening,” said spokesperson Cst. Markus Anastasiades.
Investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash, based on preliminary evidence.
David and Jessica Birdmann were driving on Tillicum Road shortly after the crash happened and were among the first to respond.
“My instant response was to get out of the vehicle, make sure the individual was OK and then I kind of went into my first responder mode,” said David.
Jessica immediately called 911.
“We were already getting the first responders here and activated before we even found the guy. Hopefully that was enough to save his life,” said Jessica.
The couple says that the rider was found a short distance away from where his motorcycle was in the bushes off Tillicum Road.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact Saanich police at 250-475-4321.
On Friday evening, police were called to another serious crash in Saanich.
Around 9 p.m., a woman was fatally struck by a car while crossing a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Interurban Road and Grange Road.
“While we can’t determine what exactly caused each of the collisions at this time because it’s so early, our hearts go to those involved and those affected by the collisions this weekend,” said Anastasiades.
Adam Chan
Oli Herrera
