By Ian Holmes

UPDATE: Man airlifted to Victoria in critical condition after early morning crash

Oct 18, 2017 | 8:58 AM

NANAIMO — Via Twitter, RCMP said the driver was airlifted to Victoria Hospital in critical condition and their investigation continues.

EARLIER:

RCMP say a man has life-threatening injuries following a serious single-vehicle crash in Nanaimo.

Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW it happened Wednesday morning at about 2:30 off the northbound lanes of Departure Bay Rd. behind the Brooks Landing shopping centre.

“He came out of the Brooks Landing parking lot at a high rate of speed.”

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O’Brien said the car involved climbed the curb in front of Hope Lutheran Church beside Cilaire Elementary School and hit a tree.

He said the driver was taken to hospital and the full extent of his injuries aren’t known.

Northbound traffic on Departure Bay Rd. is diverted at Brechin Rd., where motorists are being funelled into the back portion of Brooks Landing.

Southbound traffic on Departure Bay Rd. past the accident scene is restricted to single lane.

O’Brien expected the scene to be cordoned off for several more hours as police investigate the crash.

island-news@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow