Another fatal crash closes Pattullo Bridge

Last Updated: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 | 7:58 AM PT

CBC News

The narrow Pattullo Bridge between Surrey and New Westminster, B.C., has claimed another life, after a motorcyclist hit a guardrail early Monday morning.

The man died at the scene. No details about his identity were released.

Police say the motorcyclist had been speeding before he crashed.
(CBC)

Police said the man had been seen weaving in and out traffic before he lost control at the south end of the bridge. They said the biker was speeding and was only wearing a novelty helmet, which offers little protection. No other vehicle was involved, police said.

The accident closed the Pattullo just after 6 a.m. for the morning rush hour. Police traffic investigators reopened the bridge to regular traffic late Monday morning.

The biker is the 20th person killed on the old bridge since 1990; most of deaths were in head-on crashes.

There has been a campaign for a centre-line barrier, but police say a barrier would not have prevented Monday's accident.

The Lower Mainland bridge is nearly 70 years old, and carries more than 79,000 vehicles a day.