The Vancouver Police would like to identify and thank the citizens who provided first aid to a seriously injured motorcyclist following a crash on Birch Street at West 6th Avenue on Wednesday, July 5. The rider remains in hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Shortly after 11 p.m., BC Ambulance and the VPD were called to a single vehicle collision at the intersection of Birch Street and West 6th Avenue. A number of citizens came to the aid of the seriously injured rider until first responders arrived and took over. The man was rushed to hospital, and those who helped left the scene before speaking with police.

Based on the information collected so far, officers believe the motorcyclist rode from the area of Cornwall Street and Burrard and then made a left turn onto West 4th Avenue before crashing at Birch and West 6th Avenue.

“It’s unfortunate that we didn’t get an opportunity to speak with people who stopped to help out the injured rider. Not only is it important to our investigation to document their observations, but we would like to thank them for stopping,” says Constable Jason Doucette. “We are asking those people to give us a call for some follow-up.”

Investigators from the VPD’s Collision Investigations Unit are trying to determine the circumstances that led up to and may have contributed to the crash. Officers are asking those who graciously stopped to provide first aid, and anyone who may have witnessed the rider along his route, to contact them at 604-717-3012.