Canadian Pro Cyclist Ellen Watters dies after fatal crash injuries
We are very sad to have to report that Ellen Watters has passed away. Watters, a member of The Cyclery-Opus team for the past few years, was critically injured with head trauma when struck by a car while riding her bike on December 23rd in Sussex, New Brunswick
Her sister posted a statement on Facebook:
"It's very difficult to find the right way to share news that is so important and so terrible for so many people. Ellen no longer had any brain function when the excellent and very kind doctors examined her this afternoon. She was surrounded by family, and so many dear friends, over the past few days, and has received more support than I could have imagined."
"Ellen was truly an awesome force. Everyone who knew Ellen was better off for it. She shared joy with everyone she knew, and took joy in sharing her love and positivity around her."
"Because of the manner of her passing, she is a candidate for organ donations. The silver lining of this tragic time is that she is able to bring hope and motivation to even more people."
"We hope that we can channel some of Ellen's fantastic energy, and use it to improve the safety conditions for cyclists on our roadways.We would ask everyone to spread awareness of the necessity of cyclist advocacy, and to contact their local politicians to help get changes made."
"We will not be holding a memorial or funeral service at this time. We will be planning to do so later, when we have had a chance to process this tragedy, and can better celebrate her brilliant spirit and wonderful life. Please keep Ellen with you when you need someone to go for a quiet walk with, or to meet for a coffee, or to kick your butt and get you out for a ride. Please know that she'll be there as much as you need her, just like she always has been."
Ellen was struck by a car on December 23rd during a training ride while home for the holidays in Sussex, New Brunswick. Police reported conditions were sunny and clear when the collision occurred around 2:30 p.m. Watters and a Volkswagen Golf were travelling in the same direction on Riverview Drive East in Lower Cove. Watters was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Ellen Watters had been steadily rising up the ranks since joining the Ottawa-based The Cyclery Racing program under the guidance of former national team member Jenny Trew. A former triathlete and a kinesiology graduate, Watters adapted quickly to road cycling and her sunny personality and aggressive racing style has become a fixture at events throughout Canada and the U.S.
The 2016 season was a breakout year for the 28-year-old. She won the Tour of the Battenkill and Tour of Somerville in the U.S., and won bronze in the criterium at the Canadian Road Championships. These results, among others, led to an invitation to take part in her first-ever Canadian National Team project in August. Despite missing some races early in the trip after suffering a minor concussion, she bounced back to victory in a kermesse in Hasdonk, Belgium, on Aug. 18th.
Watters’ cycling career had stepped up another level on the cusp of 2017. She had just signed for the U.S.-based Colavita-Bianchi team at the same time as being invited to be a part-time member of the Canadian women’s development program under national NextGen coach Cameron Jennings.
Along with the rest of the cycling community, we offer our sincere condolences to Ellen's family, team mates and friends.
UPDATE: Ellen Watters' Family Calls for Safer Roads
The family of Ellen Watters, the Canadian cyclist who died from her injuries after being struck by a vehicle while on a training ride, is asking for authorities to focus on improving road safety for cyclists everywhere.
“We would ask everyone to spread awareness of the necessity of cyclist advocacy, and to contact their local politicians to help get changes made,” a family statement said. “Everyone who knew Ellen was better off for it,” the statement said. “She shared joy with everyone she knew, and took joy in sharing her love and positivity around her.”
“There has to be a readdressing of the laws governing safety for cyclists, because I think it’s falling behind the times,” said the owner of Watters’ local racing team, Vince Caceres. “I think Ellen would want something like that, because she would hate to think that there is a young athlete out there that doesn’t want to pursue their sport because of the fear of safety.”
A GoFundMe page was set up to support her family, and more than $17,000 has already been raised. Many people were sharing their condolences on social media - https://www.gofundme.com/35fwy4g
Chris Foster, executive director of the cycling organization Velo NB, said the cycling community is in shock.
“She was well-respected in the community,” said Foster . “She was able to touch so many people in positive ways, so a lot of people are mourning at this time. It’s a great loss.”
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