A woman cyclist suffered severe injuries when hit by a large refrigerator truck near the Civic Hospital. The incident happened near the intersection of Parkdale Avenue and Ruskin Street. According to the police, the victim was dragged by the truck after she was hit.
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Ottawa paramedics received a call from the intersection about 8:30 in the morning. An identified woman was severely injured. The woman was trapped underneath the truck. She had severe crush injuries to her legs and torso. The paramedics immediately provided the victim with first aid. She was immediately brought to the hospital for further treatment. Some staff in the hospital provided her with first aid. Her injuries were severe but now in stable condition.
According to the police, the truck and the bicycle were both going north on Parkdale Avenue. The truck suddenly turns right on Ruskin Street and resulted in striking the cyclist. Investigators started investigating witnesses who saw the incident and trying to determine who was on the right lane before the collision.
A woman named Martha Teaffe lives on Parkdale. Her house is about three blocks away from where the incident happened. She was surprised to hear about the incident. According to Teaffe the traffic in that area is very heavy because the Carling Avenue on-ramp to Highway 417 was closed.
Furthermore, Teaffe said the streets are congested and lots of people rushing trying to get to work on time or get home. Some will go somewhere and feel pressed to move faster and anybody who is on the margin is forgotten or not seen at all.
The police identified the woman cyclist as Becky Petronella in her 20’s. She suffered severe injuries to her abdomen, chest and to her legs.
Petronella suggested a bike lane in the streets. It could help improve the safety of people. The streets are so congested every day, and a hospital is just down the road. A bike lane could be a good first start.
Petronella gave thanks and was grateful for the people and staff of the hospital who provided her with first aid. The area around where the incident happened was closed that day and reopened back again to traffic the next day.
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