Overhead sign damaged, Trans-Canada closed in early morning crash at Revelstoke

On Thursday morning, a tractor-trailer unit turned over and crashed into the overhead traffic information sign on on the Trans-Canada Highway just a few hundred metres west of its intersection with Highway 23 and Westside Road.

Local police and fire authorities were first notified of the crash at around 4:40 a.m.

In a statement, Revelstoke RCMP said that an eastbound tractor-trailer overturned and crashed, causing damage to the overhead sign and a hydro pole. The truck was badly damaged and its freight of mixed good was spilled onto the roadway.

Visibility was clear but the road was wet at the time of the crash.

Debris from the crash can be seen in the ditch. Electrical and highway maintenance crews work on the damaged overhead sign. Photo: Emcon Selkirk Division/Twitter

At the scene, pallets of spill absorbing material were stacked up, and some of the absorbent material was spread over a fuel spill. There were many workers and lots of equipment on site dealing with the aftermath later in the morning.

The incident happened near the location where the speed limit changes from 100 km/h to 60 km/h. The RCMP said the crash happened in the section of the road where the limit is 60 km/h.

The 50-year-old driver was transported to Queen Victoria Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police issued him a ticket for driving without consideration.

In total, the highway was closed for approximately two hours and eventually opened for single alternating traffic.

In a statement, the RCMP said there was no threat to the environment due to the crash.