UPDATE: 11:40 a.m The BC Highway Patrol confirms one person is dead and another is in serious condition after a fiery crash south of Merritt on the Coquihalla Highway. Two semis collided near the Comstock exit early this morning, resulting in a large fire, says BCHP spokesman Cpl. Mike Halskoff. “According to the first information, a semi rear-ended the second one, which was destroyed on the highway,” Halskov says. The crash happened at about 6 a.m. and the southbound lanes of the freeway remain closed. “Due to the intense nature of the fire, it is dangerous for vehicles to pass through, hence the highway closure. The area fire department and the BC Wildfire Service are also involved,” Halskoff says. The BC Highway Patrol is working with the Merritt RCMP, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement, BC Ambulance Service and the BC Coroner’s Service on the investigation. UPDATE: 11:15 a.m The southbound lanes of Coquihalla Highway remain closed after a serious crash this morning south of Merritt. The pictures from the spot look half-baked. Traffic is being detoured via Highway 5A to Highway 3 (Princeton). Northbound traffic continues to be intermittently disrupted. Photo: DriveBC ORIGINAL: 6:45 AM A vehicle incident this morning closed the southbound lanes of Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt. DriveBC reports the incident on Highway 5 between the Highway 97C exit and Comstock Road, closing a 9.7 km stretch. At this time, the nature of the incident and any injuries have not been made known. The scene is being assessed. No override available. Northbound traffic will be intermittently disrupted. Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
