The Port Alberni RCMP are looking for the rider of an ATV that allegedly ran over a cyclist near Sproat Lake on Saturday, June 30.
The Port Alberni RCMP received a report at 6:10 p.m. on June 30 from a cyclist who had been run down while riding his bicycle on the old forestry road above the petroglyphs at Sproat Lake.
A yellow, three wheeled ATV rounded a blind corner on Ash Main Road at the same time as a cyclist was standing on the side of the road, according to RCMP media liaison officer Cpl. Amelia Hayden. The two riders nearly collided as the ATV drove past the cyclist within arm’s reach resulting in an exchange of words between the two riders.
The cyclist started to ride away when the ATV rider allegedly turned his machine around and raced up to the cyclist. The rider followed extremely close behind the cyclist, eventually making contact with the rear wheel of the bicycle. The cyclist was thrown from his bike and landed on the rear of the ATV which then caused the ATV to flip onto its side. The cyclist was able to walk away and return to his bike. The ATV rider then left the area after speeding past the cyclist one more time at close range.
The cyclist received minor injuries from the fall and some minor damage to his bike.
The Port Alberni RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the ATV rider involved. At the time of the incident, the ATV rider was on a yellow three-wheeled ATV and had a young child passenger seated on the ATV in front of him. The rider was a slender man wearing a brown jacket, grey pants, a purple helmet and goggles. The child is believed to be a girl between eight and 10 years of age wearing a pink jacket and a full face pink helmet with goggles.
“This appears to be an incident of road rage. Such incidents are very dangerous and are never okay. There could have been some serious injuries in this situation including to the young girl who was a passenger on the ATV,” Hayden said.
Anyone with information on the identity of the rider or location of the ATV is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424 or Alberni Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).