HEALTH WOES | Vernon woman claims Kelowna hospital denied her surgery because of her residence [A4]
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Cyclist killed in morning commute Morning Star Staff
A teenage girl died of injuries Friday after her bicycle was in an early-morning collision with a vehicle in Vernon. The accident happened at around 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of 25th Avenue and 37th Street. The 17-year-old cyclist was sent to Vernon Jubilee Hospital in critical condition where she later died of her injuries. “The investigation has learned that a teenaged girl was on her bike traveling in the bike lane eastbound when she was struck by a car driven by a Vernon resident in her 60s,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but Molendyk said Friday it was not known if wearing a helmet would have made a difference to her injuries. The victim’s name had not been released prior to The Morning Star’s deadline as relatives were still being contacted. The 68-year-old driver of the car was also taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital for injuries she received in the accident. Her vehicle has been taken in for a mechanical inspection. Molendyk said Friday afternoon that an RCMP reconstruction analyst was continuing to work on the investigation. “The analyst advised it could take some time to determine the exact cause of the crash,” he said. Any witnesses to the accident should call Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
A cyclist was taken to hospital, and later died of her injuries, after an accident on 25th Avenue Friday morning.
Teenager responsible for sparking Rise fire RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
An error in judgement is being linked to a grass fire that threatened two Vernon homes. Authorities say a young person found a lighter, tested it and accidently initiated a fire in the area next to The Rise neighbourhood Tuesday. The blaze spread to 36 hectares and came close to two residences. “The young offender has been co-operative,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson, who would not reveal the individual’s age or gender. The teenager was identified after witnesses spoke to the RCMP, Vernon Fire Department and the Ministry of Forests team working on the investigation. The agencies are recommending the youth go through the restorative justice program as a way of being accountable for their actions. “It’s a much quicker system and all of the people affected are present,” said Molendyk of restorative justice.
“The individual who caused the harm meets the individuals who had harm done to them.” Ultimately, a decision is made on punishment. “It could be community hours or going through a program,” said Molendyk. The rapidly moving blaze Tuesday was tackled by crews from the Vernon, Okanagan Landing and BX-Swan Lake fire departments, as well as ground and air personnel from the Ministry of Forests. Some resources still remain on site. “There have been several hot spots and crews are attending to them,” said Lawrie Skolrood, Vernon deputy fire chief. “We had crews on hand for the weekend and we will continue with fire watch for this week.” Residents are urged to be cautious with fire sources. “The warning needs to be very clear at this time that the conditions in our area right now are such that a fire can be out of control in minutes,” said Molendyk.
JENNIFER SMITH/MORNING STAR
An Okanagan Landing firefighter rolls out more hose to help douse a fire spreading up the hillside by The Rise Tuesday afternoon.
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