Fundraiser launched for Okanagan Granfondo crash survivor

One of the two cyclists who survived a tragic collision at the Okanagan Granfondo is facing months of recovery from her numerous injuries.

Lower Mainland woman Karen Martens was identified as one of the three people in the mid-race collision with a vehicle, which left the cyclist with a broken arm and internal bleeding, among her injuries, according to an online fundraiser.

Exactly what happened in the July 13 crash isn’t yet known, but it left two cyclists seriously injured and killed another when a vehicle collided on White Lake Road amid the massive cycling event. The driver remained at the scene and many participants who followed were made to dismount as they passed the scene.

“As an avid cyclist, Karen has participated in cycling races throughout BC, including the Granfondo, for multiple years. She bikes to work every day, goes on long rides on the weekends, and mountain bikes with (her partner) Dean when not training for road races,” an excerpt from the fundraiser, organized by Amanda Buck, reads.

The annual South Okanagan event includes multiple distances and typically attracts more than 2,000 cyclists. Riders participating in three distances, including the 155-kilometre Granfondo, converged on White Lake Road before the collision less than three kilometres further near the St. Andrews golf resort.

Penticton RCMP is leading the investigation and have not provided many details about the collision, but a spokesperson did confirm the driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Witnesses who passed the scene said the vehicle had obvious front-end damage.

The cyclist who was killed and the other survivor have so far not been identified, and the extent of the survivor’s injuries or state of their recovery isn’t known.

Martens, a self-employed massage therapist, will be out of work while her partner, a personal trainer, supports her, according to the fundraiser.

“To know Karen and Dean is to love them. Karen’s infectious smile and bubbly personality is guaranteed to brighten your day, Dean’s down-to-earth and kind-hearted nature puts anyone at ease, and together they are truly unstoppable. Every donation, no matter the amount, will go a long way to ensuring these two continue to spread their love of health and fitness for years to come, and relieve at least a little stress in the months to come,” the fundraiser reads.

As of Thursday morning, it neared the halfway point of its $10,000 goal two days after its July 15 launch. 

“They’ve made a career of healing and helping others, now it’s our turn,” Buck wrote.

Buck did not immediately respond when reached by iNFOnews.ca.

Go here to find the online fundraiser.