Calgary Longboarder Dies from Collision with Truck

What Happened:

An unidentified 25 year old male from Calgary, AB was pronounced dead on Sept. 8 after a collision on his board with a pickup truck at 11 Avenue and 27 Street S.E.

The man had been "hillbombing" with his brother when the accident happened.

According to local witnesses, the man sped through a stop-sign and into the intersection, where he collided with a pickup truck and sustained serious injuries.

He died later on that evening in the Okotoks General Hospital.

"I've seen kids going through with no regard for the stop sign," said one local resident of the area where the accident occured.

Cory Taylor, an 11 year old, was with some friends near the intersection when the accident occurred.

"The guy on the skateboard was going pretty fast down 27 Ave. Then I saw a truck coming up the hill and the skateboarder was knocked right out.", said Cory.

Local residents told the police the sound of impact was so loud that they could hear it from their living rooms.

The man was not wearing a helmet.

Alcohol was not believed to be a factor in the accident.

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Comments:

I sincerely hope that I never have to write another article like this again.

This is a tragic event, and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this young man.

However, what makes this story truly tragic is the fact that this accident was entirely preventable.

The unknown rider bombed straight into an intersection - through a stop sign, no less.

And he was not wearing a helmet.

This is not an "I told you so" speech. I am publishing this article because I want all longboarders to be able to recognize how serious riding safety needs to be taken - especially in light of such a horrible event.

There is a difference between "extreme sports" and putting yourself in harm's way. Longboarding is an extreme sport, that requires extreme precaution, forethought and safety.

I sincerely hope that anyone that reads this article will from this day forward, in rememberance of our unknown riders life, practice extreme safety when doing extreme things.

Have an exit plan for every road you ride. You should thoroughly investigate the ending of every hill or course you intend on riding it. If you can't slide or otherwise stop confidently, or if there is a traffic-risk, then don't ride it.

Don't ride on busy roads. This is usually illegal anyway. There is nothing to prove to anyone by doing this, except to paramedics.

Wear a helmet, and other safety gear when riding at all times. Skill has nothing to do with avoiding accidents - we all have scars to prove that.

As more information unfolds about this tragedy, we will let you know.

And please, always ride safely, and within your limits.

I never want to write an article like this again.

-Chris Rempel, Longboard Directory

References and Resources:

Calgary CityTV Story

Calgary Sun Article

CFCN Story