UPDATE: Multiple crashes on Highway 1 in Kamloops now clear

KAMLOOPS – Drivers were being warned to stay off Highway 1 heading eastbound through Kamloops after a number of collisions have caused a traffic backup this morning.

Const. Jason Epp said emergency personnel responded to a multi-vehicle pile up in the eastbound lanes at the Columbia Street exit this morning, Sept. 25, and the traffic backup caused several additional crashes.

Emergency personnel were responding to one crash when a motorcycle crashed right in front of them. Epp said it sounded like the driver of the motorcycle has serious injuries but was unsure about any other injuries.

“Wet roads definitely played a factor,” Epp said.

He said at least one lane of traffic was open so traffic was getting through, but it took several hours to clear the area.  As of 1:40 p.m. Epp confirmed the area was cleared. 

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 1:54 p.m., Sept. 25, 2015, to say the roadway was clear.