UPDATE: 8 p.m.
One person is in critical condition following one of two accidents on the Coquihalla Highway Sunday, July 22.
According to Emergency Health Services, one patient in critical condition was transported by air ambulance to a nearby hospital while four others in stable condition were transported by ground ambulance as a result of an accident 50 kilometres south of Merritt.
BCEHS paramedics attended and cared for patients involved in two MVIs on Hwy 5 #Coquihalla.
1) South of Merritt – 1 patient transported in critical condition, by air ambulance. 4 patients transported by ground ambulance in stable condition.
2) North of Merritt – no transports— Emerg Health Services (@BC_EHS) July 23, 2018
According to DriveBC, the highway remains closed to northbound traffic as a result of that incident and is estimated to reopen at 9 p.m.
The second accident, which occurred approximately 10 kilometres north of Merritt, is now open to single lane southbound traffic. EHS said no one was taken to hospital as a result of that accident.
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Original
The Coquihalla Highway has been closed as a result of two separate accidents: one north of Merrit, and one south of Merrit.
The highway is closed to northbound traffic approximately 50 kilometres south of Merritt at Coldwater River Provincial Park due to an accident. DriveBC said emergency crews are en route and drivers should expect heavy delays. No detour is available. Alternate routes are via the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 8. There is currently no estimated time of reopening.
@RCMP report #BCHwy5 CLOSED – Approx 50km SOUTH of #Merritt at Coldwater River Provincial Park due to a vehicle incident, assessment in progress, expect heavy delays. Emergency crews en route. #Coquihalla
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) July 23, 2018
Crews are also working to clear another incident that has closed the highway to southbound traffic about 10 kilometres north of Merrit. A detour is available via Highway 97D to Highway 97C. The estimated time of opening is currently unavailable.
#BCHwy5 – CLOSED southbound 9 KM North of #Merritt due to a vehicle incident. Detour for Southbound traffic via Highway 97D to Highway 97C. Estimated time of opening currently unavailable; Assessment in progress. Next update at 7:00pm. Info: https://t.co/l6wKqlztca #Coquihalla
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) July 23, 2018
The cause of the accidents and any resulting injuries are not yet known. Both were reported shortly after 5:30 p.m.
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