**Title: North Island College Student Dies After Cyclist Collision** Students and faculty at North Island College in Courtenay, British Columbia, are mourning the loss of a student who died from a brain injury after a collision with a cyclist on September 16. Max Poley, 24, had just finished his evening shift at the NISU Eats cafeteria and was walking home when the incident occurred. Carissa Wilson, executive director of the North Island Students' Union, reported that Poley was initially taken to Victoria General Hospital, where he was in intensive care. Although he showed signs of recovery, he later suffered an inoperable brain bleed and passed away on Monday. “He was talking to family. He had even cracked a couple of jokes,” Wilson said. “But he was still drifting in and out of consciousness. And head injuries, you know, they’re really, really tough in the first couple of weeks.” The Comox Valley RCMP is investigating the collision, and the cyclist involved has been identified. B.C. Emergency Health Services responded to a call at 8:49 p.m. PT on September 16, near the intersection of Ryan Road and Back Road. One person was transported to the hospital in stable condition, while another was taken in serious condition. Wilson noted that Poley often walked home along Ryan Road, a steep and busy road with a narrow bike lane. A health worker informed Poley’s mother that the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk at the time of the collision, but this detail has not been confirmed by the RCMP. “We are still working to uncover additional details about the collision and all the circumstances surrounding the event,” said Const. Monika Terragni of the Comox Valley RCMP. Wilson described Poley as an “absolutely delightful young man” and expressed the community's grief over his death. “This is heartbreaking,” she said. “This has been a really big hit through our community on a few levels. Max was a young man with lots of opportunity in front of him.” Poley was studying office administration and taking online university transfer courses, with plans to move to Vancouver or Victoria. Wilson shared that they had discussed his meticulously organized spreadsheets cataloging the books he had read. North Island College acknowledged Poley’s death as a “tremendous loss for everyone.” Counseling services were made available at Tyee Hall for students affected by the tragedy. The student union has initiated a fundraiser to support Poley’s mother, who traveled daily from the Comox Valley to be by her son’s side during his hospitalization. Wilson mentioned that students and instructors have been sharing stories about Poley and his positive impact on the campus community. “Max was a really caring, gentle young man who was really willing to have conversations with pretty much anybody,” Wilson said. On Thursday, Poley’s organs were gathered for donation, potentially helping up to seven people.