Calgary First Aid: Bystanders Perform CPR After Fatal Malahat Highway Crash
A devastating three-vehicle crash on the Malahat highway has left one man dead and a woman in serious condition, underscoring how suddenly emergencies can occur—and how critical immediate first aid and CPR can be.
According to CBC News, the collision occurred Saturday afternoon and temporarily shut down traffic in both directions along the busy Vancouver Island route.
The full original report can be read here:
👉 1 man dead, 1 woman in serious condition after Malahat car crash
Emergency Crews Respond to Serious Collision
B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) confirmed they were dispatched just before 1 p.m. to the northbound lanes near Aspen Road, north of Victoria.The B.C. Coroners Service later confirmed that one person had died.The victim was identified as David James Tilley, 46, the son of a former St. John’s city councillor.
Trained Bystanders Step In to Help
Witness Lizy Gipson, 52, was travelling toward Mill Bay when she encountered stopped traffic moments after the crash. Seeing debris scattered across the highway, she pulled over to see if her first aid training could help.
She found two people trapped inside a heavily damaged vehicle. The male driver was critically injured and unresponsive, while the female passenger—his wife—was injured but conscious.
Unable to remove them safely, Gipson immediately began CPR on the man. Three other bystanders quickly joined her, and together they continued life-saving efforts without giving up until paramedics arrived.
“Everybody was not giving up,” Gipson told CBC.
Paramedics Take Over Life-Saving Efforts
Emergency crews took control of the scene upon arrival. The injured woman was removed from the vehicle, placed on a stretcher, and transported to hospital in serious condition.
Despite prolonged CPR efforts by both bystanders and paramedics, the man could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation and Traffic Disruptions
Police confirmed the crash occurred in a construction zone with a 60 km/h speed limit. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
The Malahat highway was temporarily closed Saturday afternoon and fully reopened later in the evening. Drivers were advised to expect delays.
Why CPR Training Matters
This tragic incident highlights the importance of bystander CPR. In many serious crashes, trained members of the public are the first to respond—often making a critical difference before emergency crews arrive.
Learning CPR and AED skills gives everyday people the confidence to act in high-stress situations when seconds matter most.
To learn more about CPR and AED training, visit Calgary First Aid’s CPR courses:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
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