Fatal crash on Fernie, B.C., mountain bike trail shocks riding community

Fatal crash on Fernie, B.C., mountain bike trail shocks riding community

RCMP say the crash happened on Canada Day on Trail Dogs, a popular trail in the Coal Creek area

A man has died after a mountain biking crash on a popular trail in Fernie, B.C., on Canada Day, according to Elk Valley RCMP.

Const. Mike Wilson says police received a call from B.C. Ambulance Service at about 12:35 p.m. PT Wednesday, asking for help with a mountain biker who had crashed on what was initially an unknown trail. Police later confirmed it was Trail Dogs, in the city's Coal Creek area.

The incident comes during Fernie’s busy summer biking season, when the community’s trail network draws both local riders and visitors to the community in southeast B.C.

Trail Dogs is part of Fernie’s flow zone, a machine-built trail area close to town, and is used by beginner to intermediate riders, according to the Fernie Trails Alliance.

Wilson says Fernie Search and Rescue was already on scene when police arrived. He says doctors who happened to be mountain biking in the area also helped.

"Life-saving efforts were made but were unsuccessful," Wilson said.

The man was pronounced dead shortly before 2 p.m., according to Wilson. He says the rider had been with a group, but no one else was involved in the crash.

"It looked like just a super unfortunate accident," Wilson said.

The RCMP investigation was completed Wednesday afternoon, and he says there is no ongoing public safety concern for trail users.

Executive director of Fernie Trails Alliance Melanie Wrigglesworth says the incident has been difficult for the rider’s family and the local trail community.

"This is a very rare event for this type of thing to happen on the trails," she said. "And it's quite shocking for everybody."

Wrigglesworth says riders should assess trails before increasing speed.

"Pre-ride, re-ride, free-ride," she said. "Mountain biking is an inherently risky sport and so I encourage everybody to follow that mantra."

The Fernie Trails Alliance has offered condolences to the rider’s family and friends, and is asking people to be sensitive to those affected.

Wilson says the group appeared to have taken safety precautions, including wearing helmets and pre-riding the trail.

The Fernie Trails Alliance temporarily closed Trail Dogs after the incident. Wrigglesworth says the trail reopened at 2 p.m. Thursday under guidance from RCMP and Fernie Search and Rescue.

The B.C. Coroners Service says the investigation remains open, and no further information is being released at this time.

Amber Wang is an award-winning video journalist and filmmaker with CBC News based in Cranbrook, B.C. She previously worked for BBC World Service, focused on visually driven narratives. You can contact her at amber.wang@cbc.ca.