UPDATE 2:30 p.m. – RCMP say two people were killed in a head on crash between a semi-truck and a CN Rail pick up truck on Highway 5 near Clearwater just after midnight, April 23.
BC Highway Patrol and Clearwater RCMP say they were called to the crash at Highway 5 and Cliffe Rd around 12:50 a.m., April 23. They say both vehicles caught fire after a tank on one of the trucks exploded.
“The passenger of the semi-truck and the driver of the CN truck both tragically passed away. The driver of the semi-truck and the passenger in the CN truck survived and are in critical, but stable condition,” BC Highway Patrol spokesperson Cpl. Melissa Jongema told Radio NL.
The BC Wildfire Service says the small wildfire in the area of the crash is currently being held at 0.1 hectares in size.
It is not clear what caused the crash, but Mounties say they are still investigating.
“Collision Analyst and Reconstructionist Service (CARS) attended and is investigating,” Jongema added. “BC Highway Patrol has taken over conduct of the investigation.”
The highway is open to a single lane of alternating traffic, with Drive BC now expecting to have another update at 6 p.m.
A small wildfire broke out but the local fire department attended and the fire is now contained.
REMINDER – #BCHwy5 CLOSED at Cliff Rd east of #ClearwaterBC due to a vehicle incident. Assessment in progress. Expect major delays. #YellowheadHwy #BirchIslandBC
For more info: https://t.co/UoCJhPT8sc pic.twitter.com/KQXf6goEop
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) April 23, 2024
