One person has died of injuries resulting from a serious collision north of Pemberton on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 3, police have confirmed.
The two-vehicle crash involving a dump truck and a pickup truck took place on Pemberton Portage Road, near Gates Lake in Birken, just after 2 p.m.
The road remained closed in both directions before opening to alternating traffic, as the RCMP's Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service, Fire Rescue, BC Ambulance Service, and police responded to the incident. The driver of the dump truck remained on scene, police said Thursday, while the pickup truck driver was reported to have "sustained undisclosed injuries" at the time.
Sea to Sky RCMP issued a news release Friday evening confirming an individual travelling in the pickup truck has since succumbed to their injuries.
"Investigators continue to follow up and gather evidence that will assist in putting the different pieces of what happened together,” said Cpl. Angela Kermer in the release. “We encourage anyone who was involved in this event in any way to reach out to Victim Services for any supports needed.”
The collision took place during a heavy snow event that saw temperatures in and around the Pemberton Valley dip below the freezing mark. Following the road's reopening, police cautioned drivers to be prepared for hazardous winter conditions and encouraged motorists to keep family and friends informed of their travel plans before driving through the area, due to a lack of mobile phone reception.
The RCMP asks anyone with information to share about the incident to contact Pemberton RCMP at 604-894-6634, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or go to solvecrime.ca to stay anonymous.
Find the latest road conditions at DriveBC.
- With files from Megan Lalonde
