Driver dies in rockslide near Lillooet

A man has died after a rockslide hit his vehicle near Lillooet earlier this week.

The Lillooet RCMP received a report of a rockslide on Highway 40, Feb. 28 at 2:30 p.m. A witness told police they saw a dead driver in a commercial vehicle nearby. The vehicle had come to a stop against the rock face, according to a press release issued by the RCMP.

Police and B.C. Ambulance attended the scene and confirmed the driver of the vehicle, a man, had died. Initial investigations led police to believe the cause of death appeared to be from a rockslide that struck the cab of the vehicle, according to police.

Due to further rockslide concerns, Highway 40 was closed Monday to all westbound traffic near Yalakom Road, at the Yalakom River crossing. Eastbound traffic was also closed at Mission Mountain Road and Highway 40.

The highway was re-opened on March 1 after the Ministry of Transportation completed their safety assessment.

The investigation has been turned over the B.C. Coroner and the RCMP is not releasing the name of the man.

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