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Train hits drunken man in Pemberton

A 50-year-old man is suffering from head injuries after being struck by a CN Train last Thursday in Pemberton. At 3:30 p.m. on Feb.

A 50-year-old man is suffering from head injuries after being struck by a CN Train last Thursday in Pemberton.

At 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 28, Pemberton RCMP officers received a call that a drunk man was walking the railroad tracks at the same time a train was approaching.

According to Constable Afzeel Yakub, the officers contacted CN Rail, and the approaching train immediately began breaking.

While the train’s speed slowed substantially, the train failed to come to a complete stop in time, and the man was struck.

Following the accident, the man was taken to the Pemberton clinic and his condition was stabilized. Plans are in place to take him to Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver as soon as possible for further testing.

Yakub said the RCMP is not releasing the man’s name at this time, but confirmed he is a resident of the area.

He added that the RCMP officers are currently investigating the accident to identify the factors at play. The CN Police are also conducting their own investigation.

Earlier that day, Pemberton RCMP also received a call from a backcountry skier who had fallen off a cliff in the MacGillivary Pass area. The skier was a 27-year-old male in Pemberton on vacation.

A rescue effort team was put together with the RCMP, Search and Rescue, Emergency Health Services and Pemberton Helicopters and in less than three hours, the man was airlifted to a hospital.

The man is suffering from facial injuries and possibly a concussion, but is in stable condition at this point, said Yakub.

Yakub was not able to say whether the man was still in the hospital or not, adding that the reason for the man’s fall is still being investigated.

Finally, the Whistler RCMP also received a call on Thursday regarding a woman who was injured while skiing the north side of Decker Mountain.

The woman was skiing with a guided tour when she fell and fractured her leg.

Whistler Search and Rescue, along with Blackcomb Helicopters, was contacted, and a helicopter airlifted the 47-year-old woman to safety.

According to Yakub, the female is in stable condition at this time and will recover fully from her injury.