Fatal collision near Slocan Lake closes Hwy 97
By Lone Sheep Publishing
On July 5, at approximately 5:50 p.m., the Slocan Lake RCMP responded to a report of a collision on Hwy 6, just north of Hills, BC, and south of Crown Road in Hills, according to RCMP Cpl. James Grandy.
He said the collision involved a passenger truck and a semi-trailer. According to initial reports, the truck collided with the semi-trailer.
“Emergency responders worked to extinguish the flames, but the truck and its trailer were destroyed by the fire,” Grandy said. “Witnesses at the scene managed to rescue the driver of the semi-truck, which had overturned due to the collision, scattering its 100,000-pound load of timber across the highway and completely blocking both lanes.”
The highway was closed for 11 hours to facilitate the investigation and clearing of the debris.
“Investigation so far indicates the passenger truck crossed the center line,” Grandy added. “The driver of the semi-truck attempted to avoid a collision, but his B-trailer hit the ditch, causing the semi to flip and its load to collide with the passenger truck.”
The driver of the semi-truck was taken to the hospital and found to have sustained minor injuries.
“Tragically, the occupants of the truck, all from Nelson, BC, did not survive the collision,” Grandy said. “RCMP offer their condolences to the family and thank the witnesses for their assistance at the scene.”
Both the BC Coroners Service and the Slocan Lake RCMP continue to investigate.
