Warning: This story contains a graphic video
Conservation group Save Old Growth says one of its members remained in hospital on Tuesday after protesters blocked part of the Patricia Bay highway in North Saanich, British Columbia, on Monday
The northern lanes of the highway were blocked for an hour before the RCMP was able to clear part of the blockade and launch a lane.
Traffic was delayed for several more hours, during which a protester sitting on a ladder fell and was injured.
On Tuesday, Save Old Growth said one of its members, Trevor “Red” McKelvey, fell from a height of about 20 feet after an angry traveler from the side of one of the ladder supports.
An online fundraiser has been set up to support McKelvey’s recovery. The GoFundMe campaign says the man broke his pelvis and needed “high-risk” surgery, six months to a year, to recover, and faced potential lifelong health complications.
“This is a devastating and life-changing injury,” Save Old Growth organizer Sofia Pap said in a statement. “We don’t want to risk our lives by making people uncomfortable, but here’s what happened.”
“Business, as usual, has put us on a global trajectory, and it is up to our government, the greatest legislature, to act in the best interests of the future of the people; that includes preserving old forests, “she said.
Protest for old-fashioned logging is pictured on the Pat Bay Highway on June 13, 2022 (CTV News)
On Tuesday, Save Old Growth said it would “continue to block roads” in British Columbia until the provincial government puts an end to all deforestation in British Columbia.
In addition to the blockade of Vancouver Island on Monday, two blockades were set up in Vancouver by Save Old Growth on Monday and Tuesday.
The RCMP says the blockade of the Patricia Bay highway has led to five arrested people participating in the protest.
Mounties says a separate investigation into the ladder incident is under way.
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