Hearts are heavy in Williams Lake with the news the Goat FM’s news reporter Rebecca Dyok remains in critical condition at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops after she was involved in an accident Sunday while riding her bike.
Dyok was travelling westbound on Cameron Street around 2 p.m. on July 24 with another cyclist.
She was coming down the hill where there is a six per cent grade toward the stop sign at Mackenzie Avenue, said Williams Lake RCMP Staff Sgt. Del Byron Monday.
“She went through the stop sign. There was a couple driving a pickup truck pulling a fifth wheel trailer going north on Mackenzie Avenue,” Byron said. “At the last minute she tried to turn left to avoid it but she got caught up in the fifth wheel.”
The Williams Lake RCMP, Central Cariboo Search and Rescue, BC Emergency Health Services and the Williams Lake Fire Department attended the scene.
Staff Sgt. Del Byron credited Cpl. Jeremy Roberts for his quick action at the accident scene Sunday.
“She was bleeding out,” Byron said. “He had a tourniquet on him and he cranked that tourniquet up tight and shut the bleeding down. We are all very concerned and hope that Rebecca recovers from her very serious injuries and we are all wishing her the best.”
At the radio station Tuesday the staff were quick to praise Dyok’s work ethic and personality, while all of them were visibly shaken by the accident.
“She is one of these people so seemingly mild mannered, but she gets the story,” said morning host Dale Taylor. “You see this person that’s differential maybe and yet keeps going after it to get what she wants.”
All of the staff commented on Dyok’s great laugh that often fills the building.
Dyok is originally from Saskatchewan and arrived to work at the Goat in August 2014.
“Her first day of work was the day after the Mount Polley Breach,” Taylor said.
In fact, Dyok was finishing up two weeks of holidays when the accident occurred and was due to be back at work Tuesday.
Taylor said her mom and sisters are with her at the hospital in Kamloops.
Barry Rawlek works on Saturdays as a board operator at the station and said he enjoys his conversations with Dyok.
“She’s always inquisitive and wants to know about the history of Williams Lake,” Rawlek said. “She was asking about Frizzi Road and the dam at Scout Island a few weeks ago.”
Midday Host and news reporter Pat Matthews gleaned from the movie Forest Gump to describe Dyok.
“She’s like a box of chocolates,” Matthews said. “You never know what you’re going to get with her. It’s fun working with her, for sure. She’s taught me a lot, whether she knows that or not.”
Receptionist Sally Buller said often people are surprised when they hear Dyok on the radio after seeing her in person.
“She takes power when she is behind the microphone,” Buller said. “She’s very sweet, but when she’s got an opinion she’s adamant. She’s very strong that way.”