Sad mishap on toy run

Photo: Oliver Daily News

UPDATE: 6:51 p.m.

Peter Kozak, the sports director for the Penticton legion, said about 68 bikers plus passengers participated in the ride.

The day began with registration and breakfast, with bikers then proceeding to Peachland and on to Summerland.

From Summerland they travelled on Green Mountain Road to the legion in Okanagan Falls for lunch.

It was when they were travelling from Okanagan Falls to the legion in Oliver that the sad mishap occurred, he said.

Kozak said his friend was a dedicated rider who had told him at the last stop before the incident what a nice trip it had been.

He said they still planned to end the day at the Pentiction legion with planned activities because his friend would have wanted them to.

UPDATE: 5:20 p.m.

One of the participants in the second annual Toy Run and Poker Derby motorcycle ride died Saturday, after crashing his three-wheel motorcycle on Highway 97 north of Oliver. 

The crash occurred at about 2:40 p.m. near the Senkulmen Business Park, as a large group of motorcyclists were travelling south from the Penticton Legion, after visiting other legions.

The elderly rider left the highway as the group was travelling between the OK Falls and Oliver legions. 

The ride was in support of the South Okanagan Women in Need Society.

The cause of the crash is unknown at this time. 

ORIGINAL: 3:50 p.m.

A large three wheeler left the roadway on the river side of Highway 97, down a steep embankment at about 2:40 p.m., Saturday.

The incident was just south of Enterprise Way near Senkulmen Business Park.

Police and fire are on scene, with the effort now directed to a recovery.

The bike and its driver are part of a group outing.

Traffic was delayed for a short time, while investigators talked to witnesses.

Castanet will provide more details as they become available.

-With files from Oliver Daily News