British Columbia

Longboarder, 12, injured in Maple Ridge crash

A 12-year-old boy has been critically injured after riding into oncoming traffic on his longboard, police in Maple Ridge say.

A 12-year-old boy has been critically injured after riding into oncoming traffic on his longboard, police in Maple Ridge say.

The longboarder collided with a car heading west through the intersection of McClure and Kimola Drive just after 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Ridge Meadows RCMP said.

Police say the driver stayed at the scene and is not facing any charges.

Last week, three longboarders were injured in two separate collisions in West Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.

In July 2010 a woman in her 20s died while longboarding down Mount Seymour Road in North Vancouver when she collided with a van.

Longboarding is a form of skateboarding in which riders descend steep hills using skateboards designed for the high-speed turns.

Longboards are legal under B.C. traffic laws, but some cities and municipalities in the province ban their use on public roads.