Crash closes highway

Photo: Google Maps

UPDATE 6:03 P.M.

A collision and car fire near Salmon Arm closed the Trans Canada Highway, but resulted in only minor injuries Tuesday afternoon.

On June 7, police, fire and ambulance along with utilities crews were called to a collision on Highway 1 just east of the Highway 97B interchange.

“A tractor with a long hay trailer was traveling east on Highway 1 and turned into a farm. The hay bail trailer had a long rear overhang. As the tractor and trailer turned the rear of the trailer swung out further into the east bound lane,” said Staff Sgt. Scott West. “At the same time another eastbound four-door sedan overtook the trailer and the rear of the trailer merged with the passenger side of the car putting the metal trailer frame through the rear passenger window and then the rear window of the passing car.”

West said the result was the “passenger car was pulled apart” and spun into the ditch on the east bound side of the highway knocking five round bails of hay off the trailer. The collision also bent the frame of the trailer.

“The driver and the passenger in the car, residents of Malakwa, were pulled from the vehicle by bystanders as it began to catch fire,” said West.

The operator of the farm tractor was unharmed and the 79-year-old female driver of the car suffered minor injuries. The passenger in the car, an 80-year-old male, suffered what was believed to be minor injuries as well.

Both occupants of the car were transported to Shuswap Lakes Hospital to be checked over by medical staff.

Telephone utility and BC Hydro crews checked the poles and lines for heat damage from the car fire as the car came to rest at the foot of a pole that carried hydro and telecommunication lines.

A vehicle incident has closed the TransCanada Highway about five kilometres east of Salmon Arm.

RCMP have few details although a vehicle and, possibly, a tractor were involved in the incident.

There are no reports of injuries at this point.

RCMP expect to release more information later today.