Students and teachers at the Courtenay, B.C. campus of North Island College are mourning the loss of a student who passed away due to a brain injury from a collision with a cyclist on the night of September 16. Carissa Wilson, the executive director of the North Island Students’ Union, shared that Max Poley, aged 24, had finished his usual evening shift at the NISU Eats cafeteria and was on his way home when the accident occurred. Initially taken to intensive care at Victoria General Hospital, Poley was showing signs of recovery until he experienced an inoperable brain bleed leading to his passing on Monday.
According to Wilson, Poley was communicating with his family and even managed to crack a few jokes while intermittently drifting in and out of consciousness. However, the severity of head injuries, particularly in the initial weeks, proved to be challenging. Comox Valley RCMP is actively investigating the incident, with the cyclist involved identified. The B.C. Emergency Health Services responded to the call near Ryan Road and Back Road at 8:49 p.m. PT on September 16, transporting one individual in stable condition and another in serious condition to the hospital.
Wilson mentioned that Poley resided near Back Road and typically walked home along Ryan Road, a steep and bustling street in East Courtenay with limited space for pedestrians. While a health worker informed Poley’s mother that the cyclist was on the sidewalk during the collision, this detail has not been officially verified by the RCMP. Const. Monika Terragni from Comox Valley RCMP emphasized the ongoing efforts to uncover additional information surrounding the collision.
Describing Poley as a young man brimming with potential, Wilson reminisced about meeting him on campus a couple of years ago, highlighting his amiable nature. Poley was pursuing studies in office administration alongside online university transfer courses, with aspirations to relocate to Vancouver or Victoria. North Island College expressed deep sorrow over Poley’s untimely demise, labeling it a significant loss for the community. In response to the tragedy, counseling services were made available at Tyee Hall for students seeking support.
The student union initiated a fundraiser for Poley’s mother, who diligently traveled back and forth from Comox Valley to Victoria to be with her son during his hospitalization. Fond memories and anecdotes about Poley have been circulating among students and faculty, underscoring his positive impact on the campus community. Recognized for his compassionate and approachable demeanor, Poley’s organs were donated to potentially benefit up to seven individuals, reflecting his altruistic spirit.
