Trans-Canada Highway closed west of Revelstoke due to MVI

Update:

The highway reopened just before noon, but authorities warned of delays due to the backlog of traffic.

Original:

The Trans-Canada Highway is closed west of Revelstoke due to an MVI on Thursday, August 13, and an update for information on a reopening time is scheduled for noon.

The incident is listed on DriveBC as being near the Boulder Mountain Avalanche gate, about six kilometres west of Revelstoke. The road information service sent out its first notice of the event just after 6 a.m. Thursday.

DriveBC has not yet provided an estimated reopening time.

Unconfirmed reports say commercial vehicles collided. The six-hour gap between the initial report of the incident and the planned noon update can be read as a sign this is a serious incident.

#BCHwy1 – Closed 6 km west of Revelstoke due to a vehicle incident. Detour not available. Next update at 12 Noon. Details: https://t.co/beNYAedWJK Heads Up @511 #RevelstokeBC pic.twitter.com/iFlKLabitL

— DriveBC K (@DriveBC_K) August 13, 2020

If you are passing through the area, check DriveBC for the latest updates on road information.

We will provide some updates on this story through the day, but for the latest highway information, check the DriveBC website.

Update: Fatality in fiery crash

Police have confirmed that one person was killed in the MVI.

RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesperson for RCMP Southeast District, said a transport truck collided with a passenger vehicle at about 4:40 a.m. The tractor-trailer truck rolled in the collision and the passenger vehicle was “engulfed in flames” following the crash.

“Sadly, the driver of the passenger vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency paramedics,” O’Donaghey said. “One of our priorities at this time is to establish an identity for the deceased and properly notifying that person’s family.”

An RCMP collision reconstructionist is investigating on scene. The BC Coroners Service has also launched an investigation into the sudden death.

Authorities are asking any witnesses or drivers with dash camera footage to contact the Revelstoke RCMP at 250-837-5255.