3 dead, 2 critically injured in B.C. highway crash north of Kamloops

Three people are dead, and two are critically injured, following a three-vehicle crash on a highway in B.C.’s Interior.

The incident on Highway 5 happened around 100 km north of Kamloops around 11 a.m., with DriveBC reporting that it occurred between the communities of Clearwater and Little Fort.

According to police, a southbound Ford F150 from Alberta crossed the centreline sideswiped a northbound Ford F550 hauling a trailer, then went head-on into a northbound SUV, a Ford Escape.

The three deceased were from the Ford Escape, say police, adding the two injured people were also in the SUV and were airlifted to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

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“The driver of the Ford F550 was not injured and the driver of the Ford F150 was not seriously injured, but was transported to hospital,” police said on Thursday. “Two of the deceased were recent refugee immigrants.”

Police say Highway 5 was closed for several hours as they investigated, gathered evidence, and recovered the vehicles involved.

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“BC Highway Patrol is continuing this investigation to determine why the driver of the Ford F150 crossed over the center line,” said RCMP.

“Road conditions were not a factor and the driver of the Ford F150 is cooperating with police.”

If you witnessed the collision, or have dash-cam video of the incident, you are asked to contact B.C. Highway Patrol in Kamloops.

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