Students and faculty members at North Island College’s Courtenay campus in British Columbia are mourning the loss of a student who passed away due to a brain injury sustained in a collision with a cyclist on the evening of September 16. Max Poley, a 24-year-old who had finished his usual shift at the NISU Eats cafeteria that night, was on his way home when the tragic incident occurred.
Carissa Wilson, the executive director of the North Island Students’ Union, shared that Poley was initially admitted to intensive care at Victoria General Hospital and had shown signs of recovery. However, he later experienced an inoperable brain hemorrhage and tragically succumbed on Monday. Despite communicating with family and even cracking jokes, Poley remained in and out of consciousness, struggling with the severity of head injuries in the initial stages.
Comox Valley RCMP confirmed their investigation into the collision, identifying the cyclist involved in the incident. B.C. Emergency Health Services responded to the scene near the Ryan Road and Back Road intersection following a call at 8:49 p.m. PT on September 16. One individual was transported to the hospital in stable condition, while another was in serious condition, as reported by paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites.
According to Wilson, Poley resided near Back Road and frequently walked down the steep and bustling Ryan Road in East Courtenay to reach home. While a health worker informed Poley’s mother that the cyclist was on the sidewalk during the collision, this detail remains unconfirmed by the RCMP. Const. Monika Terragni from Comox Valley RCMP emphasized ongoing efforts to uncover further details surrounding the tragic event.
Describing Poley as a young man full of promise, Wilson recalled their meeting a few years ago on campus, characterizing him as a delightful individual. Poley, who was pursuing office administration studies alongside online university transfer courses with aspirations to relocate to Vancouver or Victoria, had meticulously documented his reading list in color-coded and genre-categorized spreadsheets.
His untimely passing is deemed a profound loss by North Island College, prompting the availability of counseling services on-site for support. The student union is actively promoting counseling resources and drop-in sessions to assist those affected by the tragedy. Additionally, a fundraiser initiated by Wilson aims to aid Poley’s mother, who diligently commuted from Comox Valley to Victoria daily to be with her son during his final days.
Colleagues and peers have been reminiscing about Poley’s compassionate and approachable nature, highlighting his positive impact within the campus community. Wilson revealed that Poley’s organs were pledged for donation to potentially benefit up to seven individuals.
The North Island College community continues to mourn the loss of Max Poley, a promising young student whose memory will be cherished by all who knew him.