
Photo via Skilled Truckers Canada
UPDATE 6 p.m. – The Trans-Canada Highway remains closed in both directions between Cache Creek and Spences Bridge due to a fiery crash early this morning.
Drive BC says the highway was closed three kilometres south of Venables Valley Road, near Ashcroft, just before 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. It is not clear what time the crash happened, but Drive BC’s first report about the incident was just before 7:30 a.m.
It is not clear what happened, but video from the scene shows two trucks – a transport truck and a dump truck – involved with debris strewn over the two-lane highway. The dump truck was on fire, with flames also appearing to be spreading down a nearby embankment.
“One of the driver’s was able to speak with officers at the scene. However, the driver of the other involved vehicle remains unaccounted for at the time of this release,” RCMP Spokesperson James Grandy said, in an email.
B.C. paramedics treated one person at the scene for minor injuries. A spokesperson with B.C. Emergency Health Services says two ground ambulances and an air ambulance responded to the incident.
Drivers were told to expect a multi-hour delay, with a detour available on the Coquihalla and Highway 97C.
Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge is only open to local passenger traffic, with no commercial traffic permitted on that stretch of highway.
There is no word yet on any injuries or fatalities linked to this crash.
Drive BC is now expecting to have an update on the highway at 10 p.m. this evening. For the latest, go here.
UPDATE #BCHwy1 -is closed due to a vehicle fire 3 km south of Venables Valley Road, 21 km south of #CacheCreek.
Detour via #BCHwy97C & #BCHwy8.
WESTBOUND commercial vehicle detour to use #BCHwy5 & EASTBOUND to use #BCHwy5 & #BCHwy97C.
https://t.co/NojpJa9B14 https://t.co/oLZtdQ2pxE pic.twitter.com/oxaseI1UD3
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) October 5, 2023
More to come