UPDATE: 10 a.m.

Mounties say both drivers were killed in a head-on crash just east of Sicamous yesterday on Highway 1.

Reports of the accident came in just after 1 p.m., about seven kilometres east of Sicamous, near Jessop Road.

Sgt. Chad Badry says a 73-year-old Sicamous man was heading west in his pickup truck when he crossed the centre line before hitting an eastbound sedan, which was occupied by a 46-year-old woman from Salmon Arm.

“Sadly, both drivers were deceased upon arrival of first responders,” Badry says. “There were no other occupants of the vehicles.”

Badry says neither road nor weather conditions were factors in the crash.

Meanwhile, the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats have identified the Sicamous man killed in the crash as Garth Bedard, the grandfather of 15-year-old Pats prodigy Connor Bedard. Connor is the first player in WHL history to be granted exceptional status, to play in the league a year early, and he leads the league in scoring so for this season.

As identified by police, Garth was 73 years old. In a statement, the Pats organization gave its deepest condolences to the Bedard family.

“We know how close Connor was with his grandfather, who was one of Connor’s biggest fans. Garth was incredibly proud of Connor and took great joy in his grandson’s passion for hockey, and even more so in the person he has become,” the statement says.

“We will continue to stand with Connor and his family during this difficult time, as they grieve the loss of someone who meant so much.”

After the accident yesterday, the highway was closed for about three hours before the scene was fully cleared.

Police are asking anyone with information on the crash to contact RCMP Traffic Services in Golden, at 250-344-2221.