Chase RCMP say three people were killed in a head-on collision on the Trans-Canada Highway near Sorrento yesterday afternoon.

Sgt. Barry Kennedy says witnesses told police an eastbound black sedan crossed the centre line near Little River Road around 1 p.m. and collided head-on with a westbound SUV.

In a statement Wednesday, he says a 51-year-old Sorrento man was behind the wheel of the eastbound vehicle while a couple from Blind Bay – a 67-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man – were in the westbound vehicle.

“Officers arrived to find BC EHS had determined that the occupants of both vehicles had all died at the scene,” Kennedy said, adding it is not known why the eastbound vehicle crossed the centre line as the crash is still being investigated by police and the BC Coroners Service.

Police say the highway was closed for about four hours but callers to the NL Newsroom and Drive BC both said a single-lane of alternating traffic was able to get through on Little River Road with major delays reported.