Coquihalla closed between Merritt and Hope for ‘police incident’

A long stretch of the Coquihalla highway is closed this afternoon due of a police incident.

Highway 5 from Merritt to Hope was closed at 2:30 p.m. today, Nov. 23, but the nature of the police incident isn't yet known.

RCMP officers from surrounding areas including Hope, Merritt and the B.C. Highway Patrol are responding to Juliet Bridge near the Coquihalla Summit, according to an RCMP media release.

RCMP hasn't given away much about what the incident entails, but they're searching for "armed suspects," according to a Drive B.C. tweet.

"Any public in the area are asked to avoid that area, and refrain from posting any police actions online," an RCMP news release reads.

Police said the public should expect delays and plan alternative routes for the "next few hours" as both public and commercial vehicle access is blocked.

Drivers are being detoured to Merritt via Highways 5A and 3, while drivers to Hope will take Highway 3, according to Drive B.C.

Police appear to be searching for at least one suspect who left a stolen truck behind near Juliet Bridge, according to an unconfirmed social media video from a helicopter.

For the latest on the closure, go to Drive B.C. here.

@kurtbrown3386 ? wait m83 – ???: *???:*

coquihalla highway right now, police everywhere, @GlobalBC @CTVVancouver @CityNewsTraffic pic.twitter.com/E1OnSqSPSl

— Kevin Cage (@kcage604) November 23, 2022

— This story was updated at 3:48 p.m., Nov. 23, 2022, with information from RCMP.

— This story was updated at 3:57 p.m., Nov. 23, 2022, with information from DriveBC.

— This story was updated at 4:18 p.m., Nov. 23, 2022, with a TikTok video from Kurtis Brown.

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