Semi-trucks spill their guts on Hwy 1

HOPE – Highway 1 near Hope is open again, following cleanup of a messy accident this morning between two semis that resulted in a large cargo spill of wine and pulp.

RCMP received the report of the accident that happened 2 km west of Hope, at around 9 a.m.. An Abbotsford man, 30 was driving a Kenworth semi-trailer loaded with wine east when he lost control, driving throught the centre median, crossing westbound lanes at which time it was broadsided by the other truck. The second vehicle, a Frieghtliner semi-trailer driven by a man, 57, from Delta, was loaded with pulp.

Nobody was injured and the highway was shut down for ten hours so a crew could come in and clean up the mess. It reopened just after 7 a.m.

"Both vehicles sustained extensive damage," RCMP spokesperson Corp. Rober McDonald said, "with one of the semi's trailer ripped apart by the force of the collision. And of course there was significant damage to the cargo."

The driver of the Kenworth has been charged with driving without due care and attention under the Motor Vehicle Act and both vehicles are being examined by Commercial Vehicle Inspectors in an attempt to determine their mechanical worthiness prior to the collision.