UPDATE: Police are investigating after a third crash involving a cattle truck in the East Kootenay in two months.
Highway 3 was closed for 10 hours on Monday when an SUV and cattle liner carrying 42 head of cattle collided between Jaffray and Galloway about 10:50 a.m.
Cranbrook RCMP and East Kootenay Traffic Services responded to the incident, establishing a detour route via Betania Rd until the highway reopened.
The drivers of both vehicles – two women, aged 72 and 37 – suffered minor injuries and were treated, and released at the scene by BC Ambulance Service.
BC RCMP Traffic Services Corporal Mike Halskov said Tuesday the cause of the crash is under investigation, however, charges could be laid under the Motor Vehicle Act.
“We had an individual that was attempting to make a left hand turn onto the highway from a private driveway,” he said.
“That individual failed to yield to the commercial vehicle tractor trailer hauling 42 head of cattle destined for the United States… both vehicles ended up going off the road and the cattle liner came to a rest on its side and the SUV remained upright.”
BC Hydro, Telus and Shaw also attended the crash, which downed power lines in the area, cutting power to roughly 2000 customers.
Seven cattle were either deceased or had to be euthanized, while the remaining cattle have been taken to a farm for assessment by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Halskov confirmed Monday’s crash is the third involving a cattle liner in the East Kootenay Traffic Services area in two months.
On Monday, The Free Press reported:
Highway 3 is closed in both directions near Jaffray after a cattle truck rollover on Monday.
At 1 p.m., the Regional District of East Kootenay advised a cattle liner had overturned near the overpass, downing power lines and causing a power outage in the area.
The South Country Fire Department is currently on scene supporting traffic control and other agencies.
The highway between Betania Rd and Galloway Mill Rd (4km east of Jaffray) is expected to remain closed for some time, however, there is a detour route available via Betania Rd.
DriveBC will provide the next update at 2 p.m., visit Drivebc.ca.
BC Hydro has dispatched crews to the scene of the crash, which has disrupted power to roughly 2000 customers.
More to come.
