RCMP said two semi-trailers collided on the highway just south of town. According to a statement, one person died and another was taken to hospital in serious condition. The crash led to a large fire that engulfed both lanes of the southbound freeway. “Due to the intense nature of the fire, it is dangerous for vehicles to pass through, hence the closure of the highway,” the announcement reads. Merritt RCMP officers are leading an investigation with the support of the RCMP’s BC Highway Patrol, commercial vehicle safety and enforcement officers, BC Ambulance Service and the BC Coroner’s Service. The BC Wildfire Service is also aware of the crash, given the fire. RCMP said drivers can monitor DriveBC for updates on the highway closure, “which is expected to be lengthy.” DriveBC said the northbound lanes of the freeway are intermittently open.
