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Crash knocks out power

Police advise caution with more motorcycles on road
Chris Bolster

Police are confirming a single-vehicle accident Wednesday night, May 7, which sent one man to hospital and knocked power out for more than 500 residences south of town.

The man lost control of his motorcycle while travelling north on Highway 101 and struck a hydro pole near Lang Bay Road. The accident knocked out power for several hours.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the accident just after 7:15 pm. Powell River RCMP constable Tim Kenning said police were informed that a motorcycle was on fire, but the driver was missing.

“While travelling to the collision, they were notified that the driver had been located with injuries,” said Kenning.

Auxiliary firefighters from Malaspina Volunteer Fire Department arrived first on the scene to find the motorcycle on fire. Highway 101 was closed while the fire was extinguished, said Kenning. The road reopened at about 8 pm.

Despite coming off his bike and the motorcycle hitting a power pole, the driver’s injuries were not life-threatening, he said. “He was awake and talking when crews arrived,” adding that the police report indicated the driver had possible broken bones.

The driver was transported to Powell River General Hospital but has now been released.

BC Hydro crews restored power in the area east of Brew Bay Road to north of Scotch Fir Point Road just after midnight Thursday morning.

Kenning added that police think speed could have been a factor in the accident. Alcohol, however, was not.

As more motorcycles are on the road, “Be careful with speed this time of the year,” said Kenning.