UPDATE 8:50 A.M.

Two people were killed Saturday on Highway 1 near Three Valley Gap.

RCMP say at 1 p.m. a westbound tractor trailer unit collided with an eastbound passenger vehicle. Both occupants of the passenger vehicle were killed.

The highway was closed for several hours to allow a traffic reconstruction team to complete their on-site investigation.

No names have been released.

UPDATE 9:30 P.M 

Hwy. 1 has reopened from Craigellachie to Revelstoke after a serious motor-vehicle accident cost the lives of two people. 

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UPDATE 9:00 P.M 

Hwy. 1 remains closed in both directions from Craigellachie to Revelstoke due to serious motor-vehicle accident that cost the lives of two people. 

According to Cst. Mike Esson of the Revelstoke RCMP, the accident occurred shortly after 1 p.m. at Three Valley Gap west of Revelstoke.

“Upon arrival police determined that a west bound tractor-trailer unit collided with an east bound passenger vehicle,” says Esson. “Both occupants of the passenger vehicle did not survive the collision.”

With hundreds and hundreds stuck on the highway, travellers are scrambling to find overnight accommodations, but there is little to be had.

"It’s really backed us up, our accommodation was already full, this is a busy time of year right now,” explains Judy Goodman, Executive Director for Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce. "We had a lot of people here that are stranded, it’s been a little crazy."

She says trapped travellers started looking for accommodations at 3 p.m., quickly putting their names on a growing wait list. The list had grown to over 70 parties looking for accommodations, many of which were families headed back to the lower mainland from Christmas vacation.

Revelstoke residents stepped up to help, taking people in and screening a movie at a downtown church.

"People phone in and they’ll say, you know what, I have a room in my house, and offer it up,” says Goodman adding that the Chamber is working to match hosts with stranded parties

Although they are working through the list, there are still quite a few people that don’t have accommodations and many are hoping to continue on the road tonight once the highway opens. 

The highway remains closed as of 9 p.m. Saturday evening while RCMP Traffic Services and Traffic Reconstructionist investigate the fatal collision. 

The estimated time of opening is currently set between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Eastbound traffic is still being held at Sicamous, while westbound traffic is being held at Golden.

The next update from highway crews is expected at 10:00 p.m.

An alternate route is available for drivers via Hwy. 6, Hwy. 23 and inland ferries. 

-- With files from CTV Vancouver 

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ORIGINAL

Highway 1 between Craigallachie and Revelstoke is expected to remain closed until after 8:30 p.m. due to a serious crash.

Drive BC says the estimated time of opening is between 8:30 tonight and 12:30 am Sunday.

An RCMP collision analyst is on the way to the scene, and eastbound traffic is now being held at Sicamous.

Another update will be issued at 6:30 this evening.

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Original Story

Highway 1 between Craigallachie and Revelstoke has been closed due to a vehicle crash, and travellers planning to head east will face delays.

RCMP have released few details, saying the situation is still being assessed. They expect to release another update at about 2:30 p.m.

Traffic is backing up along the highway, as the Three Valley Gap web cam photo, looking east, shows.