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Friday, July 12, 2013
The Agassiz Y Harrison
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PARTY AT PIONEER Summer music series is back with great music
JESSICA PETERS / OBSERVER
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INSIDE opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Driver arrested after plaza crash RCMP suspect impaired driving led to accident
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Three members of 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 are still trying to piece together what happened. A family of four was crossing the intersection at the crowded plaza. 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 pe-
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Harry Manx kept his audience enraptured with his unique blend of the blues during a Sunday night concert at Harrison Memorial Hall, as part of the 35th annual Harrison Festival of the Arts. For a guide to what’s on this weekend, and photos from the opening weekend, see page 12.
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destrians 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 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-male, was arrested at the scene and they are proceeding with a charge of impaired driving causing bodily harm. Of
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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 alright." The couple's son, 13, was also 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
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and no one else was injured or killed,” added Cst. Cynthia Kershaw. According to witnesses, the SUV first pushed a BMW into a family crossing the road. Witnesses were quick to jump into action to help at the scene, directing traffic, offering water and towels, and comfort. "It was a great day for acts of kindness," Veronique Castles wrote on this newspaper's Facebook page. Rebecca Schram was watching the concert at the time of the crash, and noted that many people were still in shock from what they witnessed the following day. "It was a shocking and disturbing scene and brought out many emotions from those who witnessed it," she said.
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