Coquihalla Highway crash claims a life

MERRITT – A woman is dead following a crash and several secondary collisions on Highway 5 near Merritt. Police say yesterday's road conditions may have played a part in the series of collisions.

RCMP and emergency responders were called to a single vehicle crash about 10 kilometres south of Merritt yesterday, April 2, at 3:07 p.m.

A woman was travelling alone when she crashed. As she was exiting her vehicle, a northbound Jeep collided with her vehicle, according to an RCMP release. She died at the scene.

A member of RCMP traffic services was securing the crash scene when the police vehicle was struck by a northbound vehicle. Police say at least four other vehicles were involved in secondary crashes after this one.

Those involved in secondary crashes sustained serious but non life threatening injuries.

Highway 5 northbound was closed for nearly eight hours and southbound for three and a half hours.

The RCMP is working with the B.C. Coroner's service as the investigation continues.

"Although it is April sudden weather changes can occur in British Columbia’s mountain passes," Sgt. Mike Pears says in the release. "It is still recommended if you are traveling through the Interior of British Columbia this time of year make sure you have good winter tires. Please adjust your speed to the conditions of the road and expect the unexpected."

To contact a reporter for this story, email Kim Anderson or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.