Lake Cowichan RCMP were called out to the scene of a fatal ATV accident on Ditidaht Territory at approximately 10 p.m. on Aug. 27.
Corp. Krista Hobday says that the Malachan First Nations Volunteer Fire Department was first on the scene, followed shortly by B.C. Ambulance attendants.
There were two individuals involved in the accident, the driver of the ATV, a 52-year-old male, and a 45-year-old female passenger. The female was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was taken to a hospital in Port Alberni, and then transferred to Victoria General Hospital with serious injuries.
“The driver is in serious condition, but he’s hanging on,” said Hobday on Aug. 31.
When police arrived at the scene, the female was trapped under the ATV, and police noticed evidence to suggest a second person was involved.
“The officers couldn’t find him,” said Hobday. “They had to call in a dog to locate the second occupant.”
A collision analyst was called in from South Island Traffic to determine the cause of the accident, but Hobday says that the individuals were travelling down a steep, paved hill with a hairpin, right-hand turn at the bottom.
“No cause has yet been determined, but there are possible charges pending, depending on the outcome of the investigation,” said Hobday.
It has not yet been determined if alcohol was a factor in the incident. Police were on the scene until approximately 2 a.m.