Chain reaction sends three to hospital

On Friday May 31 at 3:40 p.m., an RCMP officer came across a major collision involving four vehicles on Highway 6 near the turn off for King Eddy service road.

A vehicle was east bound in the process of stopping legally in traffic preparing to make a left hand turn from Hwy 6 into R.E. Postill and Sons gravel pit.

A white Chevy Silverado driven by a 54 year-old man from Denman Island was also east bound.

As he approached the vehicle that was making a left hand turn, he pulled over to the right hand shoulder slowing and coming to a stop.

At the same time, an Oldsmobile Cutlass operated by a 38 year-old Lumby driver was approaching the vehicle that was turning and she had slowed down.

As she slowed down, her vehicle was struck from behind by a 2007 blue Ford F-150 operated by a 61 year-old man from Coldstream.

This caused a chain reaction in which the Cutlass spun forward, striking the stopped Chevy pick-up.

The pickup then continued to cross the centre line diagonally and struck a white Ford Econoline Van off-centre head-on.

The Jaws of Life were needed to free the 58-year-old driver of the van, who is from Vernon.

Three drivers were transported to Hospital.

The driver of the van sustained major injuries including a broken jaw, hip, wrist, and other injuries. He is expected to recover.

The woman driving the Cutlass sustained whiplash. The driver of the truck sustained a broken rib and bruising to his arms and legs.

The fourth driver had no injuries and his vehicle sustained minimal damage.

The roadway was dry and visibility was clear at the time. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.  The Coldstream man was issued a violation ticket for driving without due care and attention.