One person is dead after a head-on crash between a pickup and a large delivery truck on the Trans Canada Highway, just east of Chase.

BC Highway Patrol spokesperson Cpl. Mike Halskov says a westbound Ford F-150 vehicle crossed over into the eastbound lane before it crashed with the other vehicle, just before 1 p.m. this afternoon.

“The lone driver of the pick up truck died in the collision and the driver of the commercial vehicle was taken to hospital in serious condition while his passenger sustained minor injuries,” Halskov told NL News.

“Chase RCMP currently have conduct of the investigation and are awaiting the arrival of the Coroner and the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service. BC Highway Patrol is en route to assist with the investigation.”

A witness who was driving to Kamloops from Salmon Arm tells NL News it as a very bad scene when they drove by this afternoon.

“The engine compartment was pushed into the cab, the cab was pushed back to the box. The delivery truck was struck head on and ended up in the eastbound ditch,” they said. “The pickup stayed in the eastbound lane.”

“When we arrived, civilians were attending at the delivery truck.”

Highway 1 is closed in both directions and people are being told to detour using Highway 97 through Westwold and Falkland and Highway 97B into Salmon Arm.

Halskov says its too soon to say what might have caused the crash. He is asking people to check DriveBC for the latest updates and to follow the directions of traffic control personnel on site.

There is no estimated time when the highway could reopen just yet, though an update is expected around 7 p.m.

(Photo via @tayho1977 on twitter)