UPDATE 1 p.m.: DriveBC reports that Hwy. 5 has been reopened northbound at Hope.
One person has been sent to hospital in stable condition after a crash involving a tour bus on Hwy. 5 Sunday morning.
BC Emergency Health Services tweeted that paramedics responded to a crash involving a tour bus south of Merritt and that crews are still on scene helping bus passengers.
BCEHS paramedics are on the scene of a motor vehicle incident involving a tour bus in #Merritt.
— EmergHealthServices (@BC_EHS) February 4, 2018
One patient has been transported to the hospital in stable condition.
Paramedics are staying on the scene to care for the remaining bus passengers with our medical support unit.
Earlier Sunday morning, DriveBC reported that Hwy. 5 was closed northbound at Hope following a vehicle incident at Mine Creek
The Kamscan Twitter account said the closure is due to a crash on Highway 5 near the Coldwater Interchange, later tweeting a screen grab of a Facebook post with a photo of the incident.
reason for the #Coquihalla closure #BCHwy5 pic.twitter.com/4qdQ6KrR9f
— Kamscan (@Kamscan) February 4, 2018
“Crash on the coq. Sheet of ice with rain on top. Was literally sideways trying to get stopped. No sand of course,” Adam Rhodes’ Facebook post reads.
In a brief conversation with Black Press, Rhodes said it appeared the bus got turned around on the icy highway, moving backwards before hitting the ditch, causing the bus to whip around another 180 degrees.
RCMP have not yet returned a call for comment.
REMINDER - #BCHwy5 CLOSED northbound at Hope due to a vehicle incident at Mine Creek. Assessment in progress. Estimated time of opening is unknown. Alternate route via #BCHwy1 and #BCHwy3.https://t.co/VtFB9jvoHu
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) February 4, 2018
More to come.