WEDNESDAY
December 21, 2011
A division of
Vol. 26 No. 101
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ANNIVERSARY
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NCE 1986
www.comoxvalleyrecord.com
RCMP officer injured as vehicles collide Officer suffers multiple injuries, including broken legs, possible broken arm Record Staff A Comox Valley RCMP officer along with another driver had to be extracted from their vehicles Monday evening following a crash near the entrance to North Island College. Around 8:30 p.m., Const. Anne Bock in a marked vehicle was returning to the detachment when her vehicle was struck by a Jeep. According to Staff Sgt. Andrew Isles, there was no call in progress when the officer was driving.
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AN RCMP OFFICER examines the aftermath of a two-vehicle collision Monday evening near North Island College in Courtenay. PHOTO BY CTV VANCOUVER ISLAND
SPENGLER
He noted it appears a vehicle travelling east on Ryan Road crossed the centre line and struck the police vehicle. Initial reports indicate Bock suffered multiple injuries, including broken legs, and a possible broken arm and was transported to St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Comox. Isles added it appears the driver in the other vehicle was unconscious and in considerable pain. The driver of the second vehicle was airlifted to hospital in Vancouver. A collision reconstructionist was brought in to determine the cause of the accident. Isles added police are examining the evidence to determine if charges will be laid.
Local player Brett McLean returns to Switzerland. ■ 12
SPEAKING FRANKLY
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Wolf attack suspected as cause for dog’s injuries Renée Andor
by hospital staff as of Monday afternoon. Van Isle veterinarian Dr. Laura A wolf attack could be the cause McKenny treated Nako on Thursof a Black Creek dog’s severe day, and while she said she can’t injuries, including a ripped-off be sure exactly what attacked tail, according to the dog’s owner Nako, she is “very confident” it Samantha Garstang. was a wild animal. Garstang let her eight-month“The wounds are consistent old border collie-Jack Russell with a wild animal attack that cross Nako out for was trying to take a bathroom break down the dog,” on Thursday eveshe said. “He The wounds are ning, and to her was pretty torn consistent with a wild surprise he came apart.” back dripping animal attack that was McKenny also blood 20 minutes trying to take down the pointed out that later. dog. He was prettty torn Black Creek con“His tail was servation officer removed, and he apart. Gordon Gudbranhad extensive Dr. Laura McKenny son said the punctures and wounds looked lacerations to his like they were back legs and belly. His knee caused by wolves specifically. capsule was punctured and a ligaMcKenny said hospital staff ment blown. His front knee was hope Nako will be home for also bitten badly,” wrote Garstang Christmas. in an e-mail. “Nako really had to “It’s a long recovery but fight for his life and somehow he we’re confident that he will pull made it home to us.” through,” she added. Garstang rushed Nako to Van Garstang said the hospital Isle Veterinary Hospital, where he capped Nako’s care costs at $3,000 underwent three hours of surgery for his immediate surgery and and was still being monitored care costs, and she said another
Record Staff
With the recent events unfolding at the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, I felt it was time for me to share my thoughts on the state of aboriginal affairs in Canada. What does the average non-native or non-aboriginal person think of when they hear the word aboriginal or native or even Indian? I would have to say without doing a formal poll that would take time and money, the average person in B.C. generally has negative thoughts come to mind first before anything positive.
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...Full story on page ■ 34
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