Maciek Glowacki, a 22-year-old man from Halfmoon Bay involved in a single-vehicle accident on a logging road in Sechelt Aug. 12, succumbed to his injuries on the evening of Aug. 17 at Vancouver General Hospital.
“Sadly, Maciek passed away on the evening of the 17th of August after a horrific car accident and being airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital with severe life-threatening injuries,” a post on Glowacki’s GoFundMe campaign page stated on Thursday, Aug. 18.
“The funds donated will go toward upcoming medical bills and will also help cover funeral costs. A huge thank you to each and every one for your donations, prayers and condolences. It is deeply and truly appreciated. With sincerest thanks, from the Glowacki family and friends.”
Glowacki was on his way to work at Coast Gravity Park at around 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 12 when his vehicle went off the road. Co-workers began a search after he did not show up for work, and at about 10 a.m. his vehicle was found down an embankment on the Crucil Forest Service Road.
After being extracted from the vehicle by the Sechelt Volunteer Fire Department with the Jaws of Life, Glowacki was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital in critical condition. As of the morning of Aug. 17, he had undergone eight surgeries and several blood transfusions. That evening he succumbed to his injuries.
A statement from the family sent to Coast Reporter noted Glowacki was “a great adventurer at heart” who loved mountain biking. He taught himself to ride without training wheels when he was about four years old and never looked back.
He spent much of his youth riding along trails with friends and classmates and ultimately developed his love of riding into a career in downhill biking and trail building, after completing the Mountain Bike Operations Course at Capilano University.
He was well known in the mountain biking community on the Coast.
A GoFundMe account titled “5000 for Maciek” was set up shortly after news of his accident was shared with friends and family, and well over $7,000 had been raised by Wednesday. As of Thursday, the name of the GoFundMe account had changed to “In Honour of Maciek.” See www.gofundme.com/2jzrmss
Sunshine Coast RCMP have not yet determined the cause of the accident, but noted there was no evidence of impairment found. If anyone has information about the accident, they’re asked to contact the Sunshine Coast RCMP at 604-885-2266 and reference file 16-5138.
People who knew Glowacki are invited to attend his Celebration of Life ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. at his father’s house, 8130 Frances Ave., Halfmoon Bay. Friends are also welcome to come on Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. to celebrate Maciek, the family has said.
