UPDATE:
Terrace RCMP have confirmed that the man killed in the Jan. 7 accident on Highway 16 between Terrace and Prince Rupert is 38-year old Kevin Brian Campbell. Campbell is a resident of terrace, but is originally from Lax Kw'alaams.
Mr. Campbell was travelling east on Highway 16, approximately 70 kilometres east of Prince Rupert, in a commercial semi-truck, when his vehicle was involved in a collision with an oncoming, westbound commercial vehicle. A third commercial vehicle was also involved in the incident.
Mr. Campbell was rescued by emergency personnel and was evacuated from the scene by air ambulance. Mr. Campbell was unable to recover from injuries sustained in the incident and was confirmed deceased upon arrival at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital.
UPDATE
Terrace RCMP have confirmed that the driver who was killed in an accident that closed down Highway 16 on Jan. 7 was a 38-year old Terrace resident who is originally from Lax Kw'alaams.
In addition to the fatality, RCMP say the other two drivers were transported to Mills Memorial Hospital by BC Ambulance for treatment of injuries received.
The highway remains only opened to single lane alternating traffic.
UPDATE:
Prince Rupert RCMP have confirmed that one of the drivers involved in this morning's accident on Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace has died.
According to police, a transport truck traveling Westbound on Highway 16 had "jack-knifed" possibly due to icy and extreme winter weather conditions. As this was happening the vehicles trailer slid into the oncoming lane of Eastbound traffic. A second transport truck traveling Eastbound on Highway 16 subsequently collided with the trailer ejecting the driver from the trucks cabin. This driver sustained major injuries and later succumbed to those injuries at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital.
The driver has been identified as a Prince Rupert area man, but the name of the deceased is being withheld pending the next of kin notification.
Cst. Matt Ericson said the winter road conditions are likely to blame.
"At this stage of the investigation it appears as though extreme winter weather conditions may have been contributing factor, and that speed and alcohol did not play any role in this collision," he said.
At this point Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace remains closed until further notice to allow investigators to conduct a thorough investigation, and it is not expected to open until at least 8 p.m. tonight. Drivers are asked to monitor the Drive BC website at www.drivebc.ca for further information on road closures and weather conditions around the province.
UPDATE:
Details on the accident that has resulted in the closure of the highway between Prince Rupert and Terrace are becoming available.
According to Prince Rupert Fire Chief Dave Mackenzie, three semis were involved in the accident. Fire rescue from Prince Rupert and Terrace responded, as did two ambulances from Prince Rupert and one from Terrace, RCMP and the air ambulance was needed to transport one of the drivers to the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, The accident resulted in enough damage that two sets of the jaws of life were in operation simultaneously to extract the drivers from the trucks.
Investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, though the roads were slushy enough that tire tracks can be seen running along the highway. The road is expected to open some time between six p.m. and 10 p.m. tonight.
Look for more on this story as it becomes available.
UPDATE:
As crews and RCMP continue to work on the accident that closed Highway 16 between Terrace and Prince Rupert, the Ministry of Highways now says the road is not expected to be open until some time between six p.m. and 10 p.m.
The next update will be at four p.m.
Original:
The highway between Prince Rupert and Terrace is closed in both directions following a major vehicle collision.
According to Prince Rupert RCMP spokesperson Matt Ericson, early indications are that two tractor-trailers collided 70 kilometres east of Prince Rupert at approximately 11 a.m. and a third rig hit wreckage. The highway is expected to be closed for several hours as a result.