An unprovoked attack on the Galloping Goose that sent a woman to hospital is a rare event on the trail, Saanich police say, but it has left some trail users worried about their safety.
A 49-year-old woman was walking to work along the trail behind the Red Lion Inn at 3366 Douglas St. about 5 p.m. Wednesday when she was punched in the nose by a man in his late teens or early 20s.
That section of the trail, near a bar, is often the site of fights, usually alcohol-related, but it’s rare for police to be called there on a weekday during rush hour, said Saanich Staff Sgt. Steve Morgan.
The woman was heading to a nearby business when the assailant broke from two friends walking in the other direction and punched her with his closed fist.
“It’s really disgusting,” said Staff Sgt. Scott Treble. “The assault was entirely unexpected and there had been no conversation between the two.”
The woman suffered a cut to her nose, which police say might have been caused by a ring the man was wearing. Police in vehicles, on foot and on bikes were unable to find the suspect, described as being white with shoulder-length blond hair, wearing shorts and a black T-shirt with white writing or a design on it.
Treble appealed to the assailant to “man up” and turn himself in, or for his companions or anyone who knows him to do the right thing.
Some regular trail users would like to see more done to improve safety. Neetu Bassi, who runs nightly along the trail in Langford, said more lights are needed.
“There’s a lot of undercover areas, and the tree cover makes it darker than any other area.” Bassi first became worried about the lack of lights when the remains of Kimberly Proctor were found beneath a bridge on the trail in the West Shore in March 2010.
Wendy Tyrrell, who commutes to work on her bike several times a week along the trail, said she has had several frightening incidents. She has been approached several times and harassed, prompting her to call police, she said.
Tyrrell said she will never ride the path in winter, when it gets dark early, and feels more comfortable riding with others.
She’s unsure if adding lights would make a difference but believes something needs to be done to make people feel safer.
Saanich police on bicycles patrol the Saanich section of the trail.
Saanich Coun. Susan Brice, chairwoman of the regional parks committee, said the length of the trail makes it hard to monitor. “Sometimes, these events spark a discussion and perhaps it’s an item for a future CRD and parks committee meeting.”
Saanich police ask that anyone with information about the attack call 250-475-4321.
