A terrible road accident on the Northern Highway, a mile south of the Burrel Boom road junction unfolded today around Eleven A.M. this morning and claimed the life of a sixteen year old. The young man identified as Dale Sibley, a resident of Ladyville was hit from the back by a black Toyota Camry and died on the spot. Jim McFadzean was at the scene moments after the accident happened and has this report.
Jim McFadzean Reporting
The vivid tire marks give a clue as to what probably happen here today as the lifeless body of 16 year old Dale Sibley lay in the middle of the Northern Highway just a mile south of the Burrell Boom junction. Sibley is said to have been riding south to the Los Lagos community accompanied by 2 other friends on bicycles. He had just left Josie's Restaurant an establishment which sits right across from the Ready Call Center and which belongs to his mother. Friend of the family the Honourable Michael Hutchinson was at the scene shortly after the tragic accident.
Jim McFadzean
"What are the accounts as to why the accident happen? I have spoken to someone who said that the young man that was hit was behind was wearing a headphone; apparently he was listening to music and apparently might not have been aware of the traffic behind him or the car that hit him."
Minister of State Michael Hutchinson
"Well that's what we all suspects but because when you arrive on the scene the head piece was near his ears so we just suspect that probably he was listening to the music and didn't hear the oncoming traffic but it's just speculation, so I couldn't say definitely for sure he had those ear piece in."
Jim McFadzean
"There are tire marks suggesting that the car had to swerve."
Minister of State Michael Hutchinson
"Yes I notice that the driver seems to have tried all his best not to hit him because if you notice the wreck is on the car fenders so he did try to get away but it looks like he couldn't avoid the whole impact. It just resulted in Mr. Sibley's death."
The 2 other young men accompanying Sibley were so traumatize by the incident that they fled the scene.
Minister of State Michael Hutchinson
"Two other cyclists were with him but apparently they got so devastated. I think one of them ran over the yard over and was crying and the I don't see where the other disappear to. But I know that there were some friends with him but it seems that they took it really hard."
It's another one of those avoidable accidents that was played out here on the Northern Highway this morning. As the mayhem continues on these poorly design and dangerous roads, another family must mourn the loss of a love one.
Jim McFadzean
"The villagers and people in the rural are always in danger form speeding motorists because there are not made pedestrian friendly."
Minister of State Michael Hutchinson
"That is so true. The only thing we can do is try to make the public become aware both the drivers, the pedestrian and cyclists, that these roads are dangerous and they must drive with extreme caution and care. Moreover drivers must know that when they enter a village they must abide by the speed limit so to avoid accidents such as this."
Reporting for 7 News, I am Jim McFadzean
Sibley had just completed third form this year at Ladyville Technical High School.
