RCMP confirmed there was a fatal accident on Highway 97 south of Quesnel this morning (Wednesday).
Sergeant Richard Weseen was one of the members on the scene.
“One of the occupants in the SUV that was involved in the head-on collision passed away at the scene. A passenger from the SUV was transported by ground ambulance GR Baker Hospital.”
Weseen said the passenger’s injuries are serious but are not considered to be life-threatening.
He mentioned the victim was not from the Cariboo.
Weseen added RCMP believe road conditions played a role in the accident.
“The stretch of road that the accident occurred on was straight. However, it was covered in compact ice. The SUV lost control on the ice and collided head-on with a northbound pickup.”
It happened just north of Kersley near White Cotton Road.
The Highway is now open to traffic in both directions.
– with files from George Henderson, My Cariboo Now
11:15 Am from Drive BC
UPDATE – OPEN #BCHwy97 To single lane alternating traffic after earlier vehicle incident at Whitecotton Road in #KersleyBC. Drive carefully and watch for traffic control. https://t.co/o5CZxOtJQ4
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) February 17, 2021
Updated Story at 10:50 AM
Highway 97 south of Quesnel is down to single-lane alternating traffic following a serious accident involving two vehicles.
Sergeant Richard Weseen explains what happened.
“A southbound SUV collided with a northbound pickup truck just north of Kersley. There are currently two people trapped in the vehicle. BC Ambulance is on the scene and we’re just waiting for an air ambulance to attend to transport the injured parties to the hospital.”
Weseen confirms that the two people are trapped in the SUV.
The accident happened just north of Kersley, near White Cotton Road.
He added road conditions are not good right now.
“The roads are packed ice, a lot of black ice and packed ice, so they are very treacherous at the moment. Emcon is arriving on the scene to conduct some sanding, and the Highway is open to alternating traffic.”
According to police, the highway will be closed briefly while the helicopter lands to transport the patients to the hospital.
Original Story at 10:09 AM
Highway 97 south of Quesnel is down to single-lane alternating traffic following a serious accident.
RCMP confirm that there was a head-on collision between a southbound SUV and a northbound pickup truck just north of Kersley, near White Cotton Road.
Police say there are people trapped inside the SUV, and an air ambulance is en route.
RCMP says there is black ice on the highway.
No other details are available at this time.
– with files from George Henderson, My Cariboo Now