By Ian Holmes

Family of 3 sent to hospital after crash in Coombs

Sep 10, 2018 | 2:35 PM

NANAIMO — Driving too fast for the conditions is believed to have been a factor in a single-vehicle crash in Coombs which sent a family of three to different hospitals.

Central Island Traffic Services RCMP Sgt. Darrin Ramey said it happened Sunday just after 5 p.m. when the driver lost control of her eastbound car just after 5 p.m. near Koen Rd. He said the driver sustained moderate head injuries and was flown to Victoria General Hospital, while a 6-year-old child was sent to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver with internal injuries.

“Witnesses stated that it just lost control going around the corner with the back end swerving back-and-forth until it finally spun and went into the ditch on the left.”

Ramey said a male passenger had less serious injuries and was taken to Nanaimo Hospital.

He said members of the Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department performed a technical rescue to pry the occupants from Ucluelet from the Hyundai Elantra. He said the badly damaged car was wedged at the bottom of a steep embankment.

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While the investigation is in the preliminary stages, Ramey said appears a wet road combined with going to fast for the conditions were at play.

Ramey said roads are especially slick this time of year after a long, dry summer.

“When the rain comes now you’ve got slippery oil on top of slippery water and a lot of vehicles will lose traction or hydroplane.”

Ramey said now is a good time to change out summer tires for a set with more traction.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes