Cyclist airlifted off trail in North Vancouver after suffering serious injuries in crash

A man in his 70s was taken to hospital Wednesday evening after riding his electric bikeoff a trailin North Vancouver, B.C., said North Shore Rescue.

NSR team leader Mike Danks said his crew was alerted to the injured cyclist by Metro Vancouver staff, who learned of the situation fromtwo bystanders.

The 73-year-old man had been riding his e-bike northeast of the Seymour Falls Dam when he droveoff the trail andinto a mound of soil, Danks said.

Crews found the cyclist unconscious. He hadsuffered serious spinal and chest injuries,Danks said.

He was flown by helicopter to Inter River Park in North Vancouver and transferred to first responders.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said itreceived a call just after 4:30 p.m. PTfrom North Shore Rescue about the injured cyclist.

The man was transported to hospital. BCEHS said it couldn't disclose the man's status.

Danks said the rescue was made easier because a crew was in a helicopterwith a doctorperforming training exercises when they got the call.

"It turned out we were in the right place at the right time," he said.

"They were able to land very closely, get the patient assessed, packaged and transported to an awaiting B.C. ambulance."