Saanich Cyclist Nearly Crushed By Semi-Trailer Cheats Death By Grabbing Brake Line

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Sep, 2015 10:38 AM

VICTORIA — A Victoria-area cyclist has survived being dragged about half a kilometre after a harrowing tangle with a semi-trailer.

Lada Cumpelik was riding to work in Saanich, B.C., just outside Victoria, on Wednesday morning when he says the big rig turned right unexpectedly, directly in front of him.

The 37-year-old says he tried to stop but skidded under the truck as it began to pick up speed.

Cumpelik describes grabbing the truck's under carriage and hanging on while screaming for help as several motorists pulled alongside to alert the truck driver.

Saanich Police Sgt. Ron Stewart estimates the semi reached speeds of about 50 kilometres per hour before the driver realized something was wrong and pulled over.

Stewart is amazed Cumpelik survived with just a broken shoulder, fractured ribs and extensive road rash.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

One Teen Dead, Another Charged, As Police Investigate Port Alberni Homicide

RCMP Insp. Mac Richards says the 18-year-old is expected in court soon and her name will not be released until after she appears.

One Teen Dead, Another Charged, As Police Investigate Port Alberni Homicide

Shaken City Of Vancouver Workers Return To The Job After Co-worker Shot Dead In Burnaby

VANCOUVER — The City of Vancouver confirms a veteran employee is the man fatally shot in a targeted attack in Burnaby, B.C.

Shaken City Of Vancouver Workers Return To The Job After Co-worker Shot Dead In Burnaby

B.C. Posts $1.68 Billion Surplus, Up From $184 Million Forecast In Feb. 2014

VICTORIA — British Columbia's finance minister says a higher-than-expected budget surplus leaves room for modest family initiatives but he's wary of escalating forest-fire costs and signs of economic downturns in Canada and internationally.

B.C. Posts $1.68 Billion Surplus, Up From $184 Million Forecast In Feb. 2014

B.C. Judge Says He Gets Man's Frustration But Threat Still Nets Firearms Ban

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A Kamloops, B.C., man who threatened to drive his truck through the front doors of a hospital with a shotgun has been issued a one-year firearms ban.

B.C. Judge Says He Gets Man's Frustration But Threat Still Nets Firearms Ban

Vancouver Police Guard City Work Sites, While RCMP Probes 'Serious Incident'

Vancouver police, meanwhile, issued a release saying they've taken the "unusual steps" of securing public works yards and job sites due to a threat against a City of Vancouver employee

Vancouver Police Guard City Work Sites, While RCMP Probes 'Serious Incident'

'Extremely Dry' Level 4 Drought Declared For Lower Fraser And South Coast

VANCOUVER — British Columbia's Forests Minister says soaring temperatures and paltry rainfall have pushed the province's most heavily populated region to the highest alert level on the drought scale.