Save Old Growth Protesters Disrupt Ferry Traffic In Swartz Bay

Protesters with the group Save Old Growth blocked all northbound traffic on the Patricia Bay Highway near the BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal on Monday morning.

Protesters with the group Save Old Growth blocked all northbound traffic on the Patricia Bay Highway near the BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal on Monday morning.

Roughly 15 protesters gathered on the highway around 6 a.m., blocking the highway's northbound lanes for about an hour before RCMP arrived and partially cleared the protest, opening up one lane to vehicles.

Two protesters had chained themselves to a vehicle on the highway, while another was chained to a barrel filled with concrete and metal.

The highway disruptions lasted until about 11:20 a.m.

Five people involved in the protest were arrested, including one man who was standing on a ladder at the site, which fell. The man was injured in the fall and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Other protesters at the scene said the man had hurt his pelvis. Police say a separate investigation into the man falling from the ladder is also underway.