A bizarre bike incident on the Lochside Regional Trail in Central Saanich has left one man with serious injuries.
At around 4:30 pm on Tuesday, a pair of cyclists were riding towards Mount Newton Cross Road when they were accosted by a large man.
According to Central Saanich police Sgt. Mark Haney, the man pushed one of the cyclists, a 54-year-old Saanich resident, off of his bike, and then hit him over the head with it repeatedly.
The attack left the cyclist bloodied, with broken bones. The second cyclist also reportedly suffered minor injuries as she tried to evade the man, who was making strange and incoherent statements.
Police and paramedics were called.
Apparent Mental Health Breakdown
Haney told the Times Colonist that it appeared that the man was having a mental-health breakdown.
Officers apprehended the man under the Mental Health Act. He had previously been reported missing from Surrey, BC, and is now in hospital undergoing assessment.
He could face criminal charges, but none have yet been laid.
The cyclist is recovering at home and expected to make a full recovery, according to police.
