On April 9, 2011 at approximately 7:15 am the RCMP responded to a single vehicle incident on Highway #16 at Rainbow Summit east of Prince Rupert.
The vehicle crossed the east bound lane while it was travelling west bound. The vehicle then went off road left and down a steep embankment. There were four occupants in the vehicle, all under the age of 18.
Two of the occupants were ejected and it is not clear at this time if they were wearing their seatbelts. One of the ejected occupants, a 15-year old female was flown out by air ambulance in critical condition and later succumbed to her injuries.
There is no sign of alcohol being a factor in this crash and evidence suggests the driver fell asleep at the wheel, say RCMP.
RCMP reconstruction analysts were called to the scene and the vehicle has been seized for a full mechanical inspection. This motor vehicle incident is still under investigation.
“This is a tragic ending to a young female’s life” states Cst. Laura Lechky of the Prince Rupert RCMP. “No one can prepare for a horrific end like this and our thoughts are with all the families involved.”