A Cedar teenager is in hospital after being critically injured in an accident involving a ride on lawnmower on Thursday. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

serious accident

UPDATE: Teenager killed after ride-on lawnmower accident in Cedar

Dec 28, 2023 | 3:17 PM

NANAIMO — A 14-year-old boy has died after an accident involving a ride-on lawnmower along a rural Cedar road.

Calls to emergency responders came around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28 in the 1300 block of White Rd., around one kilometre east of the Duke Point Hwy, after the ride-on lawnmower the youth was riding failed to stop at the end of a hill and collided with a pick-up truck at the Lindsey Rd. intersection.

The teenager was found on scene unresponsive with advanced first aid efforts begun by first responders, initially from North Cedar Volunteer Fire Department then eventually through BC Emergency Health Services paramedics.

“The injuries sustained by the youth were critical and life threatening,” an RCMP release stated. “BCEHS transported the youth to the Nanaimo hospital where he was pronounced deceased.”

RCMP say the driver of the pick-up truck, a 45-year-old man, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

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Drugs and alcohol have been ruled out as factors into the incident and police noted roads were wet at the time of the accident.

Officers from the Nanaimo RCMP traffic unit attended the scene, in conjunction with the RCMP’s Accident Reconstructionist and the area remained closed for several hours to allow for an investigation to take place.

The BC Coroners Service is also involved in the investigation.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to everyone impacted by the tragic incident, including many of the first responders who live and work in the area,” Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said in the release.

Every available responder from North Cedar was at the scene, with mutual aid coverage temporarily provided by neighbouring Cranberry Fire Department in the event of other calls for service.

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