Driver medical distress behind crash that closed highway along Mara Lake for hours

SICAMOUS – The driver of a transport truck that crashed into the concrete barrier along Mara Lake south of Sicamous yesterday likely had a medical issue.

RCMP say the northbound truck, hauling a flat deck trailer loaded with lumber, crossed the centre line on Highway 97A near Davidson Road and hit the southbound barriers stopping it from driving into the lake.

The crash happened at about 12:30 p.m., Sept. 13, according to a RCMP media release.

The semi and trailer stayed upright, but blocked traffic in both directions forcing a detour to Highway 97B for over 8 hours.

The truck driver was transported to hospital in Salmon Arm by ambulance, police say. No one else was hurt in the crash.

“Police investigation determined the driver likely went into medical distress while driving,” Sgt. Murray McNeil says in the release. “The driver was conscious while he was transported to hospital.”

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