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Chilliwack woman crowned Miss BC
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Jennifer Feinberg The Progress
Ezra Kwizera of Vancouver performs on the beach during the 35th annual Harrison Festival of the Arts on Saturday. The festival continues until July 14. JENNA HAUCK/ PROGRESS
Driver arrested following Harrison crash Jessica Peters Black Press
Three people from an Abbotsford family are recovering from a bizarre crash in Harrison Hot Springs on the weekend. The incident occurred at about 1:20 p.m. Sunday, at the main intersection along the beach front, where Hot Springs Road meets Esplanade. RCMP said on Monday morning they were still trying to piece together what happened. A family of four was crossing the intersection at the crowded plaza.
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A fresh-air concert was taking place just metres away, up on the grassy promenade, as part of the Harrison Festival of the Arts. A small car stopped to let the pedestrians pass, but was reportedly rear ended by a Toyota SUV. The SUV then drove over the car, became airborne, and ended up in the concrete plaza. Hundreds of people were in the area at the time, and either witnessed or heard the crash. Many rushed to the scene to investigate. While there was the potential for chaos, Agassiz RCMP Stuart Falebrinza said “a
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lot of people were there doing all the right things until the emergency responders could arrive.” He confirmed the driver of the SUV, a 27-year-old man, was arrested at the scene and they are proceeding with a charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm. Of the three victims, he said they are recovering from their injuries, and that the father, 51, will need surgery. The mother, 37, has serious injuries “but is doing all right.” The couple’s son, 13, was also
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hit, but is recovering, Falebrinza said. The couple’s 16 year old son managed to jump out of the way of the vehicles. He said police are still trying to determine the exact details of the crash. While there were many witnesses, “everyone sees things slightly differently.” “But we have some really good evidence,” he said. “With several hundred people reported to be in the area, we are thankful that the family survived and no one else was injured or killed,” added Const. Cynthia Kershaw.
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Ava Vanderstarren, 21, called it a “surreal” experience to be crowned Miss BC 2013 last week. The GWG grad, who grew up in Chilliwack, said she “never dreamed” she would one day be participating in a beauty pageant. “It’s not something I thought I would ever do. “There are a lot of stereotypes, and many women have body issues,” she tells The Progress. But this one was a little different. Vanderstarren said she was happy to discover during her interview that contestants are not measured solely on their looks or size, rather the Miss BC pageant puts an emphasis on healthy, natural beauty, self-esteem and confidence. So she thought it over. “I decided to give it a shot,” she says. “The focus was more on personal development and charity fundraising.” They weren’t even allowed to wear bikinis during the sports wear event, and most of the women dressed in outfits reflecting their favourite sport. Her sports wear sponsor, Arc’teryx, outfitted her in climbing and hiking gear since she once climbed the Swiss Alps while in Guides. She also had support from her main sponsor, Scarecrow Ink of Chilliwack. “It was all so overwhelming,” she says. Overall she enjoyed the whole experience, thanking supporters on her Facebook page after the win. In the end she was honoured