By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
Clearwater RCMP and BC Highway Patrol responded to a two-vehicle collision that left two dead and two in critical but stable condition early Tuesday morning.
According to Highway Patrol media relations officer Corporal Melissa Jongema, authorities responded to the crash at 12:50 a.m. At Highway 5 and Cliff Road, a semi-truck and CN truck hit one another head on, Jongema said.
The passenger of the semi-truck and the driver of the CN truck passed away. The driver of the semi-truck and passenger of the CN truck have survived and are in critical but stable condition, Jongema said.
The collision caused a tank to explode on one truck, igniting a vehicle fire which then spread into a small wildfire, according to Jongema. The local fire department has successfully contained the fire, she said.
According to a press release from DriveBC, the road was cleared at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday – about 17 hours after authorities first arrived on-scene.
Jongema told the Goat that while Highway Patrol and the RCMP’s Collision Analyst and Reconstructionist Service are investigating the collision, the investigation is expected to take months.
“It is too early in the investigation to comment on the cause of the collision; however, please take care of your personal well-being while driving on our BC highways,” Jongema said.
She said drivers should take steps to avoid driving while fatigued, such as pulling over when tired and driving during the day if possible.
“If wildlife is present on the highway, consider oncoming vehicles before swerving around an animal and into oncoming lanes,” she added. “The lives of drivers and passengers are so much more important than a squirrel, raccoon, or deer.”
BC RCMP declined to respond to the Goat’s request for comment. The Goat reached out to the District of Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, but did not receive a response by presstime.
