Three tractor-trailers collided on the Coquihalla Highway early Monday, leaving one semi driver at the bottom of an embankment with a broken femur.
Chilliwack Search and Rescue responded just after midnight to a report that a semi had gone over a 30-metre bank on Highway 5 near the Portia overpass.
"One semi was jackknifed, totally blocking the westbound lanes. The other one (was) down over the side, and I believe there was another one I couldn’t see,” said search manager Dan McAuliffe.
SAR members used ropes to rescue the driver, who was close to going into a creek.
“The vehicle hit some trees, there was a creek right beside it,” said McAuliffe.
Crews worked for several hours before the driver was rescued and taken to hospital.
Chilliwack SAR reports the driver was in good condition considering the extent of damage to the vehicle, the cold and degree of difficulty involved in the rescue.
RCMP have not released the name of the driver involved.
– with files from Alanna Kelly