A serious accident on Highway 5 in Louis Creek, just south of Barriere and the Agate Bay turnoff, happened just after 3 p.m. this afternoon, which appears to possibly have been a head on involving two pickup trucks, one with B.C. plates, and one with Alberta plates pulling a cargo type trailer.
Emergency crews from Barriere were on scene within 15 minutes with Barriere Search and Rescue, BC Ambulance, Barriere Fire Department and police.
Barriere Search and Rescue had to extricate one driver from his truck, who was then flown to Royal Inland by the air ambulance.
A number of patients were transported by three ambulances from the scene, including two young children in stable condition.
Officials estimate the road will be closed until 7 p.m. this evening, although police have some traffic moving through slowly by using a short frontage road next to the accident scene.
Three ambulances attended as well as air ambulance, Kamloops RCMP and Kamloops Fire and Rescue.
Update: 9:45 p.m. Highway 5 was opened up in both directions.
Update:
Due to the emergency procedures for the victims, traffic analysis of the roadway and the removal of the vehicles and debris the highway was closed for over seven hours, and going north was backed up all the way to the Station House Restaurant in Barriere.
Fortunately for some travellers, a short frontage road allowed emergency responders to be able to move some vehicles slowly past the accident scene. Highway 5 remained closed until approximately 9:45 p.m. when it became fully open to all traffic.
Police report it appears the Dodge drifted across the centre line into the path of the GMC but it is still under investigation, with charges possibly pending.
There were no fatalities