Backup with southbound traffic on Coquihalla Highway near the Great Bear Snowshed just after 4 p.m. July 10. (Drive BC image)

By Pete McIntyre

Drive BC

UPDATE: Multi-vehicle crash on Coquihalla

Jul 10, 2023 | 4:29 PM

UPDATE

Drive BC says the Coquihalla Highway fully reopened near the Great Bear Snowshed around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

A multi-vehicle incident between Merritt and Hope closed the route to southbound traffic on Monday afternoon.

The BC Highway Patrol says the collision involved three passenger vehicles and a commercial semi-truck.

“Initial investigation has determined that due to heavy traffic and construction in the area, a southbound commercial semi-truck pulling a loaded trailer collided with three passenger vehicles,” Cpl. Mike Moore stated.

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One person was transported to hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries, while another sustained minor injuries. The driver of the semi-truck was uninjured.

“The BC Highway Patrol criminal collision investigation team has conduct of the investigation which is in the very early stages,” Moore said. “Potential charges under the Criminal Code and/or BC Motor Vehicle Act have not been ruled out.”

BC Emergency Health Services said four ambulances and two helicopters were sent to the site.

✅ CLEAR – #BCHwy5 Southbound is now fully open after a vehicle incident between #HopeBC and #Merritt at Box Canyon, near the #GreatBearSnowshed. #Coquihalla

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 11, 2023

Multi-vehicle crash closes Coquihalla southbound

The Coquihalla Highway is closed to southbound traffic until further notice between Merritt and Hope due to a multi-vehicle incident.

Drive BC said at 3:30 p.m., Monday July 10, the crash site is at Box Canyon near the Great Bear Snowshed.

(Drive BC image)

“We are just turned around and heading back north! Do NOT head south on the Coq. Backed up for miles in southbound lane. Bad accident two helicopters came in and still haven’t flown out,” wrote one traveller on social media.

Drive BC’s next update on the closure will be at 5 p.m.

Click here for updates.

(Image credit: Drive BC)