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B.C. man killed in Coquihalla Highway crash: police

The Wednesday crash closed part of the Coquihalla Highway overnight.
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The Highway 5 Coquihalla Highway camera from DriveBC, on Nov. 20, 2024, at 4:15 p.m.

UPDATE: 1 p.m.

A family is grieving the loss of a loved one after a crash on the Coquihalla Highway.

On Nov. 20 at 9:20 p.m., two vehicles collided on Highway 5 in the northbound lanes near the Great Bear Snowshed.

A 69-year-old man from Hope died at the scene of the collision.

“Our condolences go out to the family and friends of this individual,” says Sgt. Mike Sargent with Hope RCMP.

Police do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash and the investigation is ongoing.

The collision was between two passenger vehicles and not commercial vehicles. 

Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is asked to call 604-869-7750.

No further details about the deceased have been released.


ORIGINAL: 1:30 p.m., Nov. 21 

One person has died after a serious collision on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt. 

After 9 p.m. on Nov. 20, a vehicle collision occurred in the northbound lanes of Highway 5 near the Great Bear Snowshed. 

A section of the northbound lanes on the Coquihalla Highway was closed at 9:50 p.m. due to the crash and did not reopen until 7 a.m. on Nov. 21. 

Paramedics were called to the crash at 9:15 p.m. just south of the Great Bear Snowshed. 

"Two ambulances with primary care paramedics responded to the scene,” says public information officer Rachelle Bown. "Paramedics did not transport any patients to hospital.”

Cpl. Dave Noon says the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service (ICARS) was called to the scene as well. LMD-ICARS is responsible for the forensic reconstruction of collisions that result in serious injury or death between Pemberton and Boston Bar.

BC Coroners Service confirms one person died in the crash. 

No further details are being released about the deceased.

At the time of the crash, there were no highway alerts, but Environment Canada had issued snowfall warnings for the three mountain highways on Nov. 17, including the Coquihalla, Rogers Pass and Kootenay Pass. 

Do you know what happened? Or have photos & videos? Email [email protected]