Fatal crash on Coquihalla Highway near Merritt

MERRITT — A multi-vehicle crash on the Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt last night left one man dead and two people seriously injured.

Merritt RCMP assisted the Southeast Traffic Services with a multi-vehicle collision in the northbound lane near the Coldwater Interchange yesterday, May 16, according to an RCMP media release.

After speaking to witnesses and investigating evidence at the scene, police determined that a small car collided with a northbound commercial vehicle. During this collision, no injuries were caused and all people involved were exchanging information on the side of the road.

Two additional vehicles approached the scene causing a chain reaction of collisions, police say. The driver and passenger who were standing on the roadside after the initial collision were seriously injured and flown by B.C. Air Ambulance to a hospital.

A 47-year-old man from Salmon Arm who stopped to offer assistance was pronounced dead at the scene by B.C. Emergency Health Services.

RCMP say several other vehicle passengers were treated for their injuries. The highway remained closed for several hours and has since reopened.

Police continue investigating the collision.

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