Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

Cycling safety at the forefront of the ride to remember Kamloops rider hit by truck

The Kamloops Cycling Federation has organized a memorial ride in honor of Dr. Andrew van der Westhuizen, who died after being hit by a truck while cycling the Highland Road. did.

Andrew van der Westhuizen died on June 30, 2022, weeks after being hit by a commercial truck on May 11. Courtesy: van der Westhuizen family
Andrew van der Westhuizen died June 30, 2022 Did. He was hit by a commercial truck on May 11th. Courtesy of the van der Westhuizen family jpg

Cycling the multi-use road adjacent to Highland Road in Juniper Ridge Saturday, August 6 A memorial ride honoring a Kamloops doctor who died in a collision with a transport truck during the ride.

Royal His Andrew van der Westhuizen, who was a radiologist at Inland Hospital, said after spending several weeks in the hospital following the May 11 clashes, he was 6. He died of his injuries on March 30. He was hit by a truck heading in the same direction as it turned right, crossing a multi-use road and into a dump for ongoing construction in the area.

"Kamloops cycling his community has been rocked by the passing of Andrew Vandel his Westhuisen," KCC's Social wrote in a post on his media. “This tragedy has put the bicycle safety issue in our city in the spotlight. Many cyclists have experienced near misses like this one. his wife Jen and their children, his extended family, friends and neighbors, and the medical community he served."

36} The entrance to a site off Highland Road, where cyclist Dr. Andrew van der Westhuizen was struck by a water truck on May 11, 2022. Michael Potestio/KTW
Entrance to the Off Highland Road, cyclist Andrew van der Vest on May 11, 2022 The place where Dr. Heisen was attacked by a water tanker. Michael Potestio/KTW jpg

Jen van der Westhuizen, who said he plans to join KTW for the memorial ride with the approval of Andrew's wife, KCC invites cyclists across Kamloops to join.

Starting at 10:00 a.m., at the parking lot of Juniper His Bikes His Ranch at the top of Highland His Road, the riders cycle down the utility road and follow Andrew's route.

Participating cyclists line up, stop at the crash site, and observe a minute's silence. The event ends with the participating cyclists continuing their slow descent down the hill and safely disbanding.

On May 11, Andrew was riding his bike to join his two-year-old son Jen at the foot of the hill. He was supposed to pick up his six-year-old daughter from the bus stop. Andrew's parents were riding a bike with him when the crash happened. The utility road he was traveling on is separated from traffic by a concrete barrier, but there is a gap at the entrance to the dump where Andrew was hit.

The access road had a locked gate shortly after the accident, which remained in place as of 4 August. Monitor traffic activity along the Highland Road during the summer to determine if improvements or pilot his projects need to be implemented to increase safety along the corridor.

Jen told her KTW that she was overwhelmed and grateful for the support from the Kamloops community, her neighbors and his husband's colleagues.

"That's a huge testament to what type of person he was," Jen said, adding that the response shows how far-reaching Andrew's kindness was. , said she received supportive messages from people "from far and wide", from people she didn't know but had a connection with Andrew.

Words that resonate show how kind a person he was and the way he made people feel had a very positive impact.We are grateful to the community who came together to hold the memorial service. bicycling and a blood clinic held in Andrew's honor," Jen said. Jen said, adding that more information will be available about future blood donation clinics at RIH in honor of Andrew. It will all take place on Wednesday, August 10th at 10am at the new Royal Inland Hospital Atrium.

Jen said it meant more people enrolled in the clinic, which meant more time. She needed an extra slot.

"It's overwhelmingly amazing that awareness brings light to blood donation and that people are doing it," she said. } Jen also said her family will donate a memorial bench for Andrew to the bike ranch, and that she and her daughter will say goodbye to Kamloops at a private event at Juniper Park following the memorial ride. 79}

"I am really sad to leave the Kamloops community and our network here," she said.

Jen said her family moved to Kamloops from her Lower Mainland a year ago for Andrew's career and is now back in Campbell on her River to be closer to her family. she said there is. Jen also noted that her Kamloops home overlooked Andrew's accident site, explaining that it was very difficult to continue living in the house and drive past the scene every day while moving in and out of the neighborhood. The route is road only to and from Juniper Ridge.

"I'm about to go back to my family because it's a little too raw and really difficult," Jen said.

A celebration of Andrew's life will be held on August 13th in his hometown of Victoria. It was streamed live and the link is available at www.celebratingAndrew.com.

{90. } The family has asked anyone wishing to make a monetary donation in Andrew's memory to send the donation to BC Children's Hospital or Ronald McDonald's House. According to the KCC, people can make nonmonetary donations in Andrew's honor by registering for organ donation with BC Transplant or blood donation with Canadian Blood Services.

A blood donation team was organized by Andrew's former colleague in Victoria and his RIH Medical Staff Association.

More news, less advertising: Our in-depth journalism is made possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. For just $3.50 a week, get unlimited add-on access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Vancouver Sun | Support us by subscribing now. State

Vancouver Sun Headline News logo

Sign up to become a daily head of the Vancouver Sun, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Receive Line News.

By clicking the subscribe button, you agree to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. Post Media Networks Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300