BC

A firefighter from Merritt is recovering in hospital after being hurt while working to help others at a crash on the Coquihalla Highway.

Photo: Contributed

The incident happened Thursday night as a Merritt Fire and Rescue truck responded to an emergency call.

The vehicle was hit by a semi trailer south of Merritt, briefly trapping the firefighter in the truck.

Other first responders pulled the man out and he was taken to hospital, where he is said to be doing well.

Investigators say snowy and slippery conditions contributed to many crashes on Highway 5 overnight and early Friday morning.

A travel advisory for the Coquihalla Highway has now been lifted, but winter conditions are still in effect and drivers are urged to use caution. 

DriveBC reports: 

• Hwy. 5 Compact snow with slippery sections both directions - compact snow with slippery sections from Merritt to Exit 336, junction with Highway 97D, to Logan Lake (47.1 km.).
• Highway 97C Both directions - compact snow with slippery sections from junction with Highway 5A, at Aspen Grove to Pennask Summitt (1728 metres) (49.5 km). Updated Fri., Mar 22 at 3:12 a.m.

At another accident on Thursday a paramedic was hurt at a call on the Trans Canada Highway at Three Valley Gap, just outside Revelstoke.

A semi-trailer had flipped, clipping a car carrying a father and two children, and the paramedic was injured when a second big rig hit the ambulance.

The paramedic and both truck drivers were treated in hospital following that crash, while the father and children were not seriously hurt.