Coquihalla opens after crash

 

Photo: Contributed - Neil Ladd

Photo: Contributed - Neil Ladd

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3:19 p.m. update: Highway 5 southbound is reopened from Merritt to 3 km south of Exit 237, Juliet Creek. The southbound lanes were closed for a few hours after a semi and passenger vehicle collided. An air ambulance was also called to the crash site. RadioNL is reporting that one person was flown to a hospital in New Westminster while another was taken to the hospital in Hope.

11 a.m. story: The southbound lanes of the Coquihalla are closed near the old tollbooth location after a major accident involving several vehicles, including a semi.

According to one witness, a northbound tractor trailer crossed the median into the southbound lane striking a passenger car, taking both vehicles into the ditch.

Emergency crews are on scene and at least one person was taken away by air ambulance.

The accident left a private vehicle deep in a ditch and the semi jack-knifed onto the side of the highway.

The road is very slick with black ice in many sections according to Darcy Buskermolen, who has been stuck on the highway since 10 a.m.

There is a detour available westbound via Hwy. 8 to Hwy. 1 through the Fraser Canyon.

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