Yesterday's deadly Coquihalla crash also started a wildfire | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Yesterday's deadly Coquihalla crash also started a wildfire

The scene of a fatal collision on Highway 5 near Merritt on Aug. 29.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Skilled Truckers Canada

More details have emerged about the fatal collision on Highway 5 south of Merritt yesterday.

Police determined that a slow-moving commercial transport truck was rear-ended by another transport truck, according to an RCMP press release. Officers were called to the scene at 6:05 a.m., which was near Comstock.

The second vehicle caught fire after the collision and flames spread to the grass meridian between north and southbound traffic.

An Edmonton man was driving the slow-moving vehicle and he was uninjured. A Winnipeg man who was driving the other truck died after becoming trapped as a result of the collision. His co-driver is also a man from Winnipeg, who managed to escape the cab but with serious, life-threatening injuries.

The highway was closed in both directions for about two hours because of the intensity of the fire. The second truck was completed consumed by it. Investigators were delayed from reaching the scene because the fire reignited.

READ MORE: Victims of Highway 1 fatal semi-truck crash identified

The Merritt Fire Department and the B.C. Wildfire Service were called upon to monitor the fire.

Northbound lanes opened first while southbound lanes remained closed for most of the day as police investigated and crews removed debris. Neither transport truck was carrying dangerous goods.

The investigation is being led by B.C. Highway Patrol, who are being assisted by Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement officers, the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service, and the B.C. Coroners’ Service.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and no possibilities have been ruled out.

Anybody with information or dash cam footage related to the collision are asked to contact BC Highway Patrol Merritt at 250-378-4262 and cite file 2022-4023. One person in particular stopped at the scene, identified themselves as a witness, but did not leave them name or contact info.

The RCMP does not expect to provide any further updates.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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