WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — One person has been rescued from a major washout on an Interior highway.
North District RCMP say Highway 20 washed out at about 3:00 a.m., approximately 25 kilometres west of Williams Lake and one kilometre west of the Fraser River.
At least one vehicle travelling along the highway was caught up in the resulting slide.
Cpl. Madonna Saunderson says it was bad luck for the victim to get caught up in the washout, but good luck someone saw it unfold.
“There was another (driver) who actually saw the one vehicle get washed away, and that person actually had a (satellite) phone with them to alert authorities,” said Saunderson.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and were able to pull one person from the river.
The victim was then rushed to hospital for treatment.
“We can confirm there was nobody else in the vehicle with that person,” said Saunderson.
“We don’t for 100 per cent certainty that there are no other vehicle involved, however at this particular time, we have no evidence to suggest that we are looking for any other vehicles.”
Photos show the washout is very large, and according to Drive BC there is no detour and no alternate route.
It’s not known when the highway may be back open.
