BURSTResponding to a vehicle collision east of town, the Sicamous RCMP found a “chaotic scene” upon arrival.
On Tuesday, Sept. 1, officers responded a “major collision” at the west end of the four-lane section of Highway 1 in Malakwa just after 4 p.m.
“The officers arrived to a chaotic scene with a large fifth wheel trailer completely destroyed and torn open lengthwise on the shoulder of the highway, with the heavy duty pickup towing the trailer also heavily damaged,” Sgt. Murray McNeil said in a media release.
The truck and trailer had been parked on the shoulder of the highway due to a mechanical failure with the pickup.
The investigation determined the driver of a westbound semi veered off the highway and hit the parked trailer and truck at highway speed, causing extensive damage to both vehicles. Officers confirmed alcohol was not a factor in the crash; however, inattentive driving on behalf of the semi driver is suspected.
Two occupants of the pickup truck were uninjured, while another person in the RV trailer at the time of the crash sustained what are believed to be non life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi was not seriously injured.
The highway was closed to traffic while paramedics, including a BC Emergency Health Services Air Ambulance, arrived on-scene to attend to occupants.
“It is extremely fortunate that there were no fatalities or serious injuries in this collision,” McNeil added.