Editors note: This story has been updated here.

UPDATE 3:20 p.m. – Three people are dead and two others are in an extremely critical condition after a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 5 near Clearwater.

RCMP say initial reports from the scene suggest that a large-scale passenger truck that was towing a trailer behind it spun out while heading toward Kamloops, colliding with another pickup truck and another passenger vehicle.

“Six ground ambulances, an air ambulance and a supervisor responded to the crash,” a statement from BC EHS said. “Paramedics cared for and transported three patients to hospital in critical condition.”

The highway is closed in both directions though Drive BC says there is a detour available for passenger vehicles only. Drivers are being told to expect delays and to obey traffic control personnel and the pilot vehicle that is on scene.

No word yet on a possible cause, but the highway is expected to re-open at 8:30 p.m. tonight.

This is the third fatal crash on Highway 5 north of Kamloops in the past month. A pickup driver was killed in a crash south of Barriere on Feb. 9, while a semi-truck driver was killed after a crash near McLure on Feb. 2.

📡#BCHwy5 Reports of a vehicle incident between #ClearwaterBC and #LittleFortBC that has the highway CLOSED in both directions near Roundtop Rd. Crews en route. Drive with caution in the area. Expect major delays. #Barriere #Kamloops

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) March 1, 2023