Alberni Valley Times, August 28, 2015

Philippine bomber to be back on the water

DAVE KOSZEGI

Alberni Region, Page 3

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Friday, August 28, 2015

TRAFFIC

Highway collision a ‘write-off’ ERIC PLUMMER ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES

An incident on Highway 4 that held up traffic for hours Wednesday afternoon was caused by a heart attack, says a friend of the driver. The crash involved a pickup truck carrying a camper on it’s back while pulling a trailer with a boat, reported the Port Albenri RCMP. At approximately 2:30 p.m. the truck collided with a barrier at a sharp turn while descending from the Alberni Summit east of the city. With a crushed front the truck left the right side of the road, ejecting the canopy camper and boat. B.C. Ambulance arrived at 2:49 p.m., and a portion of Highway 4 was closed down to a single alternating lane as the debris was removed. “The trailer began to slide and

A pickup truck left the road east of Port Alberni Wednesday, bringing its camper and boat with it. [CARLI BERRY FOR THE TIMES]

ended up hitting the barrier,” said RCMP Insp. Mac Richards. “The boat was detached from the trailer and went into the woods there.” Port Alberni resident Roy Wall is a friend of the driver, who was

returning from spending a month in a cabin he owns in the area. “The cops called me right away and then I went down there,” said Wall, adding that emergency personnel told him a heart fail-

ure could have prompted the collision. “They believe he had a slight heart attack, that’s what caused the accident. The truck, the camper and the boat all went over the no-post barricades that they had there.” Wall’s friend, R. Park, was alone in the vehicle and transported to hospital in Nanaimo. The visitor from Wenatchee, Washington, is conscious but under close supervision. “They’re doing heart tests on him, they’re running that stuff through his veins to trace his heart,” said Wall. “He can’t have any visitors yet.” Single-vehicle collisions are not unusual for the winding section of Highway 4 that runs east of Port Alberni into Cathedral Grove and MacMillan Provincial Park. Recent incidents include a Nanaimo woman who drove

off the road into Cameron Lake in July while heading back from Port Alberni. She was rescued by witnesses at the lake and transported to hospital. “It’s not uncommon for us to go to single vehicle collisions, people driving off the road for a number of different reasons,” Richards said. “It’s a busy highway and you’ve got to take that into consideration while you’re travelling.” While Wall hopes his friend will recover from the frightening incident, he’s thankful no one else was in the truck. “If anybody had been with him they would be dead for sure, it’s so caved in, and the camper is split,” said Wall. “Everything’s a total write-off.” Eric.Plummer@avtimes.net 250-723-8171

COMMUNITY

Angel’s Day: Port Alberni teen overcomes health challenges to help children in need KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES

Centennial Pier improves wheelchair accessibility The site has been a meeting place for locals and tourists, but up to this week, lacked safe access for everyone. There are still some who feel it’s inadequate. » Alberni Region, 3

Show features some local photographers The Rollin Art Centre’s next exhibit begins Sept. 22 and will run until Oct. 17, featuring Port Alberni’s very own AV Photo Club. » Arts & Entertainment, 10 » Use your smartphone to jump to our Facebook page for updates on these stories or the latest breaking news.

O

n Saturday, the City of Port Alberni will recognize Angel Magnussen with her own day of honour. “Angel’s Day” was proclaimed to support the 19-year old in her efforts to help make life a little easier for children in hospitals. Angel was born with Down’s Syndrome and has lived with multiple health issues, including obstructive sleep apnea, juvenile arthritis, diabetes, reflux disease, thyroid disease and cardiac arrhythmia. Most recently, she has undergone five jaw surgeries over the past 15 months. Her jaw has been wired shut and just this week the wires were cut and replaced with elastics. The surgery on Angel’s jaw was recommended to improve her overall health, but at week four, she developed an infection. “She has been having problems ever since,” said Angel’s mom, Cheryl Magnussen. “She has constant bone fractures and infections.” Angel is hooked up 24-hours a day for feeding through a gastrostomy tube, as well as daily intravenous treatment of medicine. Despite this, she continues to help others. The two established a non-profit organization, Hugginz Foundation, that provides Angel with meaningful work. She sews customized blankets for children who are facing illness, trauma or the loss of a parent. Angel does it so other children do not have to fear the hospital,

Despite her own challenges, Angel Magnussen continues to sew blankets each day to send to sick kids around the world. [FACEBOOK PHOTO]

“In the morning she goes out to the studio and sews while the nurses give her IV.” Cheryl Magnussen, Angel’s mother

Magnussen said. “She amazes me with how much she does everyday,” Magnussen said.

“In the morning she goes out to the studio and sews while the nurses give her IV. Then she comes in for a nap and heads back out.” The main expenses of the foundation go towards postage and quilt batting. With an average of 60 children waiting for blankets at any given time, the cost adds up. While the Magnussens await approval for charity status, they

are holding a fundraiser on Saturday. Wings for Angel is a dinner and auction at the Best Western Barclay Hotel. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the evening will feature local entertainment and a 50/50 draw. Tickets can still be purchased at the door. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net 250-720-4926

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