Motorcyclist dies in crash

NORTH CANAAN — Jacob Purdy, a 21-year-old local man, died Monday night, June 28, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Purdy, who lived at 21 Lawrence Avenue in the Green Acres section of North Canaan, was riding a Suzuki GSX-R750 behind businesses in the Stop & Shop Plaza when he crashed into a pole behind Family Dollar.

The motorcycle is designed to be used in sports and racing. An emergency call came in just before 6:30 p.m.

Police said Purdy appeared to have been riding alone. He was not wearing a helmet.

The accident attracted a lot of attention and speculation when Canaan Fire Company volunteers went to Lawrence Field to set up a LifeStar helicopter landing zone, sending players in a softball game to the sidelines where they waited and watched.

The McDonald’s restaurant parking lot across the street also filled with the curious.

A North Canaan ambulance arrived at the field, soon followed by Northern Dutchess Paramedics, but volunteers said it was uncertain whether LifeStar was coming or not. Eventually, the ambulance headed for Sharon Hospital.

State police said they would rendezvous with LifeStar there, but Purdy reportedly died in Sharon.

Purdy was a 2008 graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

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