NHL defenceman Cory Sarich was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle while cycling along Windermere Loop Road on Tuesday, July 22nd.

The Columbia Valley RCMP were contacted around 9:30 a.m. near the water treatment plant in Windermere.

A Ford F-350 had driven over Mr. Sarich, causing injuries which resulted in an ambulance ride to the Invermere and District Hospital before an airlift to Calgary.

The RCMP have not decided whether or not to charge the driver as the accident is still under investigation, though Cpl. Grant Simpson said alcohol was not a factor.

According to Cpl. Simpson, the collision occurred on a gradual hill where Mr. Sarich was riding along a left hand curve “at a fairly high rate of speed and may have been obscured by tall grass.”

The driver, travelling in the opposite direction, was possibly visually obstructed by the glare of sun, Cpl. Simpson said, reiterating that the investigation is still ongoing.

“[Thanks] to everyone for their support in regards to my accident,” reads a post from Mr. Sarich’s Twitter account. “I am blessed to be here and will most likely make a full recovery.”

Mr. Sarich spent part of his professional hockey career in Calgary, playing 377 games for the Flames between 2007 and 2013. He is currently an Unrestricted Free Agent and played most recently with the Colorado Avalanche.