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Missing Ottawa man was involved in serious Rideau Street bike crash in October 2014: reports

An Ottawa man missing since March 2 was involved in a serious cycling crash in 2014, the Ottawa Citizen reported.

March 11, 2016
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An Ottawa man missing since March 2 was involved in a serious cycling crash in 2014, the Ottawa Citizen reported.

Mathieu Trudel, 37, was last seen on Vaudreuil Street in Gatineau at about 8:00 pm that evening, reports say. The man, whom Ottawa police described as a regular fixture on local walking and cycling trails—as well as a frequent patron of OC Transpo—was involved in a serious rush-hour crash on Rideau Street in downtown Ottawa on Oct. 30, 2014, a collision that resulted in a fractured cheekbone and a serious head injury.

Trudel, reports say, was not wearing a bike helmet at the time.

After a few weeks, Trudel was discharged from hospital and made a full physical recovery, sustaining his restored fitness through regular bike trips. Still, there were lingering problems. Last year, the Citizen reported, Trudel’s brother asked those who may have witnessed the October 2014 crash to come forward with information, since Trudel couldn’t remember details.

Close friends described his disappearance as strange, after he didn’t report for work on March 3 and his home was found vacant, the front door unlocked. “This sort of disappearance is uncharacteristic of Matt who loves and is loved by so many,” said Paul Galipeau, a close friend of Trudel. While no information about clothing was provided, Trudel is described as a Caucasian male, about 5’7″ and weighing 165 to 175 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and an athletic build.

Those with any information about Trudel’s whereabouts are asked to immediately contact the Ottawa Police Service.