Image Credit: Seraphine Boomer
Fatal collision

Two people killed in fiery highway crash near Spences Bridge

Jul 28, 2020 | 10:05 AM

ASHCROFT— RCMP and the BC Coroners’ Service are investigating a highway crash that claimed two lives Monday night (July 27) south of Ashcroft.

In a release, Cpl. Mike Halskov with RCMP Traffic Services says emergency responders were called to the fatal collision on Highway 1 near Basque Road around 7:25 p.m.

A transport truck was found off the highway, completely engulfed in flames, and nearby a Honda Civic was found with one person inside.

Halskov says the evidence at the scene indicated the red Honda Civic was heading south on Highway 1 and failed to keep right, crossed the centre line, and collided head-on with a northbound transport truck.

RCMP say the lone driver of the Honda, a woman believed to be from the United States, was killed in the crash. The truck driver also perished when the individual was unable to escape from the burning cab.

Investigators are continuing to work with the transport truck company and United States authorities to confirm the identities of the two people killed.

To contain the subsequent fire that ignited, additional resources were brought in, including the Ashcroft Fire Department, and the BC Wildfire Service. Kamloops Fire Centre Information Officer Kyla Fraser says the fire is now under control.

“That means we’re not expecting it to spread any further. It’s about 1.4 hectares in size right now,” said Fraser.

She adds that no structures were threatened by the fire, and a crew will be on scene today to monitor the remaining blaze.