Millstream Road was closed in both directions after a single-vehicle crash at around 4:45 p.m. Thursday involving a hydro pole at Industrial Way.
The downed pole blocked both lanes of traffic and Millstream Road was closed on and off between 5 p.m. Thursday and 3 a.m. Friday morning.
Millstream Rd still closed in both directions at Industrial Way. @bchydro on the way. Avoid area. #yyjtraffic pic.twitter.com/IZkAV8v5dF
— Westshore Towing (@WestshoreT) April 27, 2018
Avoid traffic in the area, Millstream Rd is expected to be closed in both directions at Industrial Rd for at least 1-2 hours due to single MVI. Power pole down on the road. @bchydro on the way. #yyjtraffic https://t.co/U8a6oe6jSo
— West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP) April 27, 2018
Vehicles were diverted at Bear Mountain Parkway and Millstream was initially closed until 8 p.m.
The driver exited the vehicle but was unable to clear the roadway due to the downed lines. Dave LeQuesne, owner of Westshore Towing, was called to the scene to tow the vehicle. He said the Langford Fire Department told the driver not to move because of the live lines on the roadway.
LeQuesne said there were people trying to help the driver, but it wasn’t safe. He said that if a person’s vehicle comes into contact with a power pole, to remain in the vehicle and don’t move until it’s been cleared by emergency personnel. If a person is a witness to an accident where power lines are down, they must stay at least 30 metres back as the lines could be live.
BC Hydro arrived around 6 p.m. and cut the power to the line to get the driver out of harm’s way.
LeQuesne said he and Highland Fire Chief, Dean Ford, directed traffic when Millstream then re-opened with single-lane alternating from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
UPDATE – Millstream Rd still closed in both directions at Industrial Way. @bchydro on the way. ETA 30-40 minutes. Avoid area. #yyjtraffic pic.twitter.com/gdjYaEqG7m
— West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP) April 27, 2018
Millstream closed again from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. for All Tech could repair the power lines and BC Hydro to turn the power back on, LeQuesne said.
According to BC Hydro, the outage affected roughly 1,900 customers in the area.
