Pedestrian in motorized wheelchair struck and killed by vehicle on Tuesday

By GILLIAN SLADE on July 23, 2020.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade

At about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a call after a pedestrian was hit by a motor vehicle on Anson Avenue in Tower Estates near the airport.

The 71 year-old male pedestrian was transported to hospital and later died from his injuries.

Insp. Brent Secondiak says the person, who sadly lost his life, was actually using an electric mobility aid wheelchair at the time.

Secondiak says, as per the traffic safety act, he was classed as a pedestrian even though he was sitting in this mobility aid. You are not required to have a licence to operator an electric mobility aid, no registration is required and no age limit applies, he said. No helmet is required although it is recommended.

“When you’re on a mobility aid you’re considered a pedestrian and all rules that apply to pedestrians apply,” said Secondiak.

While some people using a mobility aid will have a pole sticking up with a flag on the top to attract attention, it is not a requirement, said Secondiak.

“It should be but it is not,” he said.

He says in this particular incident on Anson Avenue it may have been difficult for the driver of the motor vehicle to see the mobility aid. It was late evening and the sun may have been in the driver’s eyes.

“It may have been the case,” said Secondiak.

Police continue to investigate the cause of the collision.

12
-11