Parkland Ambulance says the incident happened early Thursday morning on Highway Two south of the city. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Road Safety

Man in hospital after early morning collision

Apr 30, 2020 | 12:25 PM

A motorcyclist is in hospital after a collision with wildlife early Thursday morning.

Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs with Parkland Ambulance said the incident happened on Highway 2 south of Prince Albert.

Karasiuk said paramedics took the 36-year-old man to the Victoria Hospital in serious condition.

“He has now been transferred from the Victoria Hospital to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon where he will remain in serious but stable condition,” he said.

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Karasiuk was not able to say what specific animal the motorcyclist collided with, but speculated it was likely a larger animal given the injuries suffered.

During the spring Parkland Ambulance tends to get more calls about motorists hitting wildlife. Karasiuk said motorists can hit animals ranging from birds, which simply cause vehicle damage, to larger ones like deer and moose which can do more damage. He added there have been cases where other large animals have gotten onto the roads.

“We have seen on rare occasion collisions with more of a larger creature such as a cow that’s gotten out of its farm pasture,” he said.

Tyler McMurchy, manager of media relations with SGI said the province tends to see more wildlife collisions during this time of year.

“We tell people to be alert especially during May and June, so we’re heading right into May of course, when animals are drawn to ditches, for road salt and to escape biting insects,” he said.

McMurchy said the serious of collisions involving wildlife can range from minor to very serious. He explained there are hundreds of incidents every year in Saskatchewan that see people injured. He added there are generally one to five people killed every year.

“They definitely can be very serious,” he said.

To avoid collisions with wildlife SGI recommends people make sure to slow down when they see signs warning them about animals, regardless of the time of day. McMurchy said if people see an animal on the side of the road, they should be sure to slow down and pass by slowly.

He added it is also good for drivers to be aware of all that is going on around them.

“We tell people to scan the road from shoulder to shoulder, its not just about the pavement in front of you,” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn