Stanley Park pedestrian, 71, dies after being hit by cyclist
Man visiting from China was on Stanley Park Drive near totem poles when struck
A 71-year-old pedestrian, who was struck on the roadway by a cyclist on Stanley Park Drive near the totem poles, has died of his injuries.
Vancouver Police say the elderly pedestrian was knocked to the ground after he was involved in a collision with a bicycle being ridden by a 57-year-old man around 4 p.m. PT Friday.
The man, who was visiting Vancouver from China, was with a group of Asian tourists.
The large group was enjoying the scenery at the totem poles and some members of the group were standing just off the grassy area on the roadway, police said.
The 71-year-old man took a step out and was hit by the cyclist, who was riding on Stanley Park Drive.
Police said the man appeared to have suffered a serious head injury. He was rushed to hospital, where he died early Saturday morning.
The cyclist was emotionally shaken but not injured in the collision, according to police. He remained at the scene and is co-operating with the police investigation.
People walking in the park Saturday near where the accident occurred say cyclists could slow down.
"I was walking on the sidewalk and almost got wiped out by a bicyclist going extremely fast," said park-goer Mary Sig. "I was not paying attention, looking around at the beauty and he came by quite quickly."
Marijean Dabis, visiting Vancouver for the first time, agreed.
"It's a little scary with the bicycles," she said. "They're going pretty fast."
This is Vancouver's second fatal pedestrian accident, say police.
So far this year, there have been a total of eight traffic-related fatalities.