http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2013-...e_couple_in_critical_condition_following.html
Orangeville couple in critical condition following motorcycle accident
An Orangeville couple who were severely injured when they collided head-on with an SUV near Montecito, Californina remained in critical condition on Thursday.
According to a story from Noozhawk, emergency crews responded to the accident on the 800 block of Old Coast Highway, near the Montecito Country Club, at about 5:20 p.m. Wednesday.
The couple riding the motorcycle — James Atwood, 63, and Ellen Atwood, 59, suffered major injuries, said Officer Jaycee Hunter, and were both taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Authorities have said both are expected to survive and have very severe injuries to their left legs. Earlier reports indicated at least one of them suffered an amputated arm.
The accident occurred as the pair were following another couple from Ontario on a motorcycle westbound on Old Coast Highway, Hunter said.
When the Toyota 4Runner SUV crossed over the center line, the first motorcycle was able to swerve out of the way, but the second was struck head-on, Hunter said.
The driver of the SUV — Martin Maguire, 51, of Montecito — was arrested on felony DUI charges, Hunter said, and appeared to be under the influence of several substances.
Maguire was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail, with bail set at $100,000, Lt. Paul McCaffrey said.
“It’s a horrible thing,” Hunter said. “Just two couples out having fun, and the day ended in a horrific manner.”
Immediately following the collision, several bystanders rendered aid to the couple, who had shipped their Harley Davidson bikes down from Canada with the intent of taking an extended tour of the United States, McCaffrey said.
One of those bystanders, a U.S. Army soldier recently deployed in Afghanistan, “applied a tourniquet to one of the injured riders that possibly saved their lives due to massive bleeding,” he said.
Old Coast Highway was closed for several hours while the accident was being investigated and the wreckage cleared.
— We thank Noozhawk and staff writer Gina Potthoff for the use of her story. She can be reached at gpotthoff@noozhawk.com
Orangeville couple in critical condition following motorcycle accident
An Orangeville couple who were severely injured when they collided head-on with an SUV near Montecito, Californina remained in critical condition on Thursday.
According to a story from Noozhawk, emergency crews responded to the accident on the 800 block of Old Coast Highway, near the Montecito Country Club, at about 5:20 p.m. Wednesday.
The couple riding the motorcycle — James Atwood, 63, and Ellen Atwood, 59, suffered major injuries, said Officer Jaycee Hunter, and were both taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Authorities have said both are expected to survive and have very severe injuries to their left legs. Earlier reports indicated at least one of them suffered an amputated arm.
The accident occurred as the pair were following another couple from Ontario on a motorcycle westbound on Old Coast Highway, Hunter said.
When the Toyota 4Runner SUV crossed over the center line, the first motorcycle was able to swerve out of the way, but the second was struck head-on, Hunter said.
The driver of the SUV — Martin Maguire, 51, of Montecito — was arrested on felony DUI charges, Hunter said, and appeared to be under the influence of several substances.
Maguire was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail, with bail set at $100,000, Lt. Paul McCaffrey said.
“It’s a horrible thing,” Hunter said. “Just two couples out having fun, and the day ended in a horrific manner.”
Immediately following the collision, several bystanders rendered aid to the couple, who had shipped their Harley Davidson bikes down from Canada with the intent of taking an extended tour of the United States, McCaffrey said.
One of those bystanders, a U.S. Army soldier recently deployed in Afghanistan, “applied a tourniquet to one of the injured riders that possibly saved their lives due to massive bleeding,” he said.
Old Coast Highway was closed for several hours while the accident was being investigated and the wreckage cleared.
— We thank Noozhawk and staff writer Gina Potthoff for the use of her story. She can be reached at gpotthoff@noozhawk.com
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