Fatal crash closes Coquihalla Highway northbound lanes north of Hope

A serious crash involving a number of vehicles and one fatality closed the Coquihalla Highway northbound on Wednesday.

Three people are in critical condition and dozens have been injured in the multi-vehicle crash. B.C. Emergency Services said 34 patients are being treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.

RCMP said the call came in just before 10 a.m. that a crash had happened north of Hope, near the Othello Tunnels.

1:18 Helicopter captures devastation of 20+ car pile-up on Coquihalla Highway

Multiple paramedic crews were dispatched including 13 ground and three air ambulances.

Paramedics transported two patients to the hospital by air in critical condition and three patients to the hospital by ground in serious but stable condition.

B.C. Emergency Services said they are now assisting other first responder agencies with transporting more than 30 patients to a nearby warming station in Hope.

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Search and Rescue teams are also on-site.

“Investigators are in the very early stages of this investigation and information is subject to change. However, it appears at this time that road/weather conditions in that area may be a significant contributing factor to this collision,” RCMP said in a press release.

“There are an undetermined number of people injured and one person has died as a result of this crash. The type and significance of injuries is not known at this time.”

The highway reopened to traffic around 9:45 p.m.

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There are strong winds, compact snow and ice on the out-of-town highways.

Crews on scene said road and weather conditions in the area are likely a significant contributing factor.

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2:02 Brrr! Polar vortex brings bitter cold to western Canada

An extreme cold warning has been issued for many parts of the province.

Drivers are urged to avoid travel if possible and, if not, to be prepared to stay in their cars and be able to keep warm.