Two men fall off cliff
Three people were drinking at a lookout on Overlook Street on Nov. 16, gazing over the water from a cliff face. Two men in their 30s fell off the 30-metre cliff. One was taken to the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital and released the same night after being treated. The other had more serious injuries and was airlifted to the Vancouver Hospital, where he is being treated.
While the RCMP is not pursuing charges, they remind people not to drink in public and to be cautious around such cliff faces.
“To mix alcohol with that terrain is not a good idea,” Corporal Devon Gerrits said.
Highway accidents due to poor weather
Several accidents occurred on Highway 16 on Nov. 18 before the highway was temporarily closed between Prince Rupert and Terrace because of avalanche concerns. At 4:39 p.m., the RCMP was called when a truck drove onto the barricade and rolled onto the driver side, blocking traffic. A passerby stopped to help the driver and passenger out of the cabin. They were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
At 6:23 p.m., just before the 7 p.m. closure, a truck slid off the highway. It was pulled back onto the road by a tow truck. There was only minor damage to the vehicle and no injuries to the driver who then drove the truck back to Prince Rupert.
READ MORE: HIGHWAY 16 IS OPEN WITH DELAYS DUE TO AVALANCHE CONTROL
Police officers on patrol discovered a car in a ditch near Prince George Street in Prince Rupert at approximately 1 a.m. on Nov. 20. Although the vehicle was empty when it was discovered, the registered owner was at the scene and told officers that they lost control of the vehicle when it hit a patch of ice on Highway 16 near that intersection.
On Nov. 5, another accident at the same intersection was also caused by icy conditions.
“For whatever reason, it seems to stay icy, just from a lack of sunlight. We’re requesting drivers to use caution when travelling specifically that portion of the highway,” Gerrits said.
READ MORE: ICY CONDITIONS CAUSE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER ON HIGHWAY 16
Two pedestrians struck Friday night, Nov. 17
At approximately 5:15 p.m., a 67-year-old man was struck by a vehicle on 9th Avenue West when he exited his car to remove debris from the road. Although the man was airlifted to Vancouver Hospital, he later died from his injuries.
READ MORE: 67-YEAR-OLD MAN DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK ON 9TH AVENUE WEST
30 minutes later, another man was hit by a vehicle on 2nd Avenue West and 3rd Street when he was in the crosswalk. The 49-year-old was released from the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Sgt. Dave Uppal said that night’s downpour was a factor, compounded by darkness and the glare of headlights on the wet road.
READ MORE: PEDESTRIAN HIT AT CROSSWALK RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
Both collisions are currently under investigation.
Vandalism on Borden Street
The letters “FDK” were spray-painted in a blue sparkly paint on the side of a vehicle on Borden Street while the car was parked overnight on Nov. 17. RCMP do not know what the letters mean or reference.
This act of mischief comes two weeks after tires were slashed on the same 800 block on Borden Street. Both investigations are ongoing.
Probation breaches
On Nov. 17, a man turned himself in on an unendorsed warrant for breaching his probation order. The man was held in custody for a short period pending his release by a justice of the peace.
That same night another man was arrested at a local bar, where he was found consuming liquor, which was against his bail conditions. The man was held in custody for a new bail hearing and released with a new court date.
Drunk driver’s car impounded
On Nov. 17, RCMP stopped a vehicle on 2nd Avenue West. The officer could smell alcohol on the driver’s breath and administered a breathalyzer. When the driver failed the test, their licence was seized, and they were given a 90-day driving prohibition. The car was impounded for 30 days.
keili.bartlett@thenorthernview.com
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