A 23-year-old motorcyclist who crashed into a pole in Esquimalt and walked home was the subject of an extensive search early Monday.

The motorcyclist crashed his bike just after 2 a.m. in the 800-block of Esquimalt Road. Wearing full gear and unharmed, he walked away leaving the badly damaged bike behind, Victoria police said.

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Police launched a major search for the Esquimalt resident, concerned he may have a head injury. The police employed spotlights and sirens and other tactics as part of a search for nearly two hours to draw the man out.

Neighbours in the Wychbury Avenue and Kniver Street neighbourhood report being awakened at 3:30 a.m. by lights and sirens. That intersection, which is between Esquimalt Road and the motorcyclist’s home, was blocked off by a police vehicle.

Police efforts to contact the registered owner of the motorcycle were fruitless, said Bowen Osoko, communications co-ordinator for Victoria police.

The search concluded Monday about 7 a.m. when the man awoke and said he realized police were looking for him.

The motorcyclist told police that his bike slipped on wet leaves. When he couldn’t restart his bike, he told officers he planned to walk home and pick up his truck to transport the damaged motorcycle home. However, once home the truck wouldn’t start so the man went to bed.

The truck, said police, is 39 years old.

Police said there was no indication this morning that the man was impaired.

No charges are expected, police said.

ceharnett@timescolonist.com