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UPDATE: Summerland motorcycle rider dies following accident

Accident occurred on Highway 97, near Bentley Road
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UPDATE: 2:35 p.m.

The Summerland RCMP are confirming that the 47-year-old Summerland resident involved in last Sunday`s motorcycle collision, died on Wednesday night from the injuries sustained in the crash.

The Summerland RCMP are continuing their investigation into the single motorcycle crash which occurred on April 16.

The RCMP Victim Assistance workers are also continuing to provide support for the family impacted by the man’s death.

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UPDATE: 10:17 a.m.

RCMP have retracted their initial statement on the motorcycle accident.

The accident occurred at 3:40 p.m. on Highway 97 near Bentley Road when a rider travelling south lost control of his motorcycle.

The RCMP issued information on the accident on Tuesday at 3:42 p.m.

On Tuesday evening, the Summerland RCMP detachment corrected its earlier statement, adding that the 47-year-old Summerland man was in intensive care in Kelowna, in an induced coma.

The Summerland Review did not receive this updated information until 7:18 a.m. on Wednesday. At that point, the paper had already been printed.

“The Summerland RCMP verified on the status of the motorcyclist early on Tuesday April 18 and were advised by Kelowna General Hospital that the individual was deceased. A news release was issued on April 18th stating that the collision did result in a fatality. Following the issuing of the news release several media agencies asked that we confirm our information on the man’s status due to public inquiries. A second contact was made with the medical facility and it was learned at that time that the individual was not deceased,” Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said in a written statement.

“Interior Health deeply regrets that incorrect information was given to RCMP in this case,” Pat Garcia, Corporate Director, Health Information Management with the Interior Health Authority said in a written statement. “I want to apologize to this individual, and to their family and friends for any confusion and distress that was caused as a result of this error. I have been in contact with our team at Kelowna General Hospital, and we have already begun looking into this situation to understand how this error occurred. We look forward to understanding more, and to implementing any necessary measures to ensure this does not happen in the future.”

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UPDATE: 7:03 p.m.

RCMP are now retracting an earlier statement that a 47-year-old man died in a motorcycle crash on Sunday.

The rider is apparently alive and in hospital.

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A Summerland man has died following a single vehicle motorcycle accident on Sunday afternoon.

The accident occurred at 3:40 p.m. on Highway 97 near Bentley Road.

Summerland RCMP say the motorcycle rider, a 47-year-old Summerland man, was riding a black 2015 Harley Davidson. He was travelling south at the time of the collision.

The man was taken to Kelowna General Hospital, where he died.

The Summerland RCMP, RCMP Traffic Services and B.C. Coroners Service are continuing their investigation of the accident.

According to police, preliminary findings indicate speed appears to have been a factor in the accident.