Photo: Randy Dyck

Two air ambulances attended the scene of a serious crash on the Coquihalla Thursday.

UPDATE: 9:45 a.m.

A man in his 40s was killed in Thursday night's crash on the Coquihalla Highway.

The BC Coroners Service confirms the man was killed in the multi-vehicle crash, which occurred at about 5:30 p.m.

The crash sent six people to the hospital, two in critical condition, and closed the highway for about seven hours.  

UPDATE: 7:55 a.m.

After a fatal crash closed the Coquihalla Highway for about seven hours Thursday night, it was finally reopened Friday about 1 a.m.

Six people were rushed to the hospital following the crash south of Merritt, two in critical condition, and at least one person was killed. 

Many travellers looking to get an early start on the long weekend were stuck in traffic through the night, as crews worked to assess and clean up the crash scene. 

UPDATE: 10:15 p.m.

DriveBC says both lanes of the Coquihalla Highway remain closed following a fatal crash near Coldwater Road at about 5:30 p.m.

Six people were taken to hospital following the crash, two in critical condition. 

It's unclear when the highway will reopen, but DriveBC will be providing an update at 11 p.m.

UPDATE: 9:30 p.m.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed at least one person has died in Thursday night's crash on the Coquihalla Highway. 

It's unknown at this time if more than one person was killed in the crash, but BC Emergency Health Services say they took two people in critical condition from the scene by air ambulance.

Four others, in stable condition, were taken to hospital by ground ambulance. 

UPDATE: 8:50 p.m.

Six people were taken to hospital from a crash on the Coquihalla Thursday night that closed the highway. 

BC Emergency Health Services says two people were transported in critical condition by air ambulance, while four are in stable condition and were transported by ground ambulance. 

While the crash initially closed the highway in both directions, some at the scene have reported the southbound lanes have recently begun moving. DriveBC has not confirmed if any traffic has begun moving though. 

UPDATE: 7:50 p.m.

Two air ambulances attended the scene of a serious crash on the Coquihalla Highway Thursday night. 

It's unclear how many people were injured in the multi-vehicle crash, but one of the air ambulances has since left the area, while one remains on scene. 

The crash has closed the highway in both directions, and it's unknown when it will reopen. 

ORIGINAL: 7:10 p.m.

A serious crash has closed the Coquihalla Highway in both directions Thursday evening between Merritt and Hope.

The crash occurred just before 6 p.m. Thursday near Coldwater Road, about 25 minutes south of Merritt.

Several vehicles were involved in the crash, and an air ambulance helicopter landed at the scene of the crash at about 6:45 p.m.

It's unclear how many people were involved in the crash, or what their conditions are.

The wife of a man who had driven by the crash area before the closure said it's raining in the area and her husband has seen several other more minor crashes along the way.

It's unclear at this time when the highway will be reopened.

#Coquihalla pic.twitter.com/9LXa9dXwn6

— Joshua Knaak (@JoshuaKnaak) May 17, 2019