A young Pemberton woman was put into an induced coma last weekend as a result of a single vehicle accident.
The 17-year-old driver sustained head injuries considered not to be life threatening when her vehicle rolled at the foot of "Suicide Hill" south of Pemberton on Friday, Dec. 16 at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The vehicle, which was not carrying any passengers, landed on the railway tracks near Nairn Falls on Highway 99.
The driver was discovered by emergency workers suspended upside down in her vehicle. Her behaviour indicated head trauma and she was transported via ambulance to Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver for treatment.
"The prognosis for a recovery is favourable," said Corp. Paul Vadik of the Pemberton RCMP.
The driver was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident, a fact that may have prevented more devastating consequences.
"She could have easily been thrown from her vehicle," said Vadik.
Alcohol was not a factor in the accident. Results for tests taken to determine the use of other substances have not been made public. Police would not rule out excessive speed or road conditions as potential factors in the collision that also damaged train indicator lights. (CN has since repaired the lights.) Corp. Vadik described the evening’s weather as being cold, wet and slippery.
"Drivers must be aware of their limitations and the limitations of their vehicles. You need to be prepared and have good winter tires. All season tires may not be good enough for the conditions," the RCMP officer concluded.
The investigation is ongoing.
