FIELD, B.C. – Three people were killed in a collision of two semi-trucks Sunday morning (Aug. 28) near the west boundary of Yoho National Park on the Trans-Canada Highway.
RCMP said the highway reopened at 7:45 p.m. on Monday (Aug. 29) following a 37-hour closure.
Police said the collision took place at about 6:50 a.m. and when RCMP arrived, both drivers of the semi-trucks were dead.
Video footage of the incident showed both trucks engulfed in flames and dead cattle on the highway, with one of the semi-trucks transporting cattle. Multiple social media posts said the cattle were returning home from the Western Canadian Classic show in Brandon, Manitoba and belonged to Team B.C.
RCMP said only one cow survived and is being treated for injuries.
During the closure, traffic was redirected via Highways 93 and 95.
“We thank the public for their patience during the highway closure, as it enabled us and our partners to conduct a fulsome investigation,” said Cst. Kat Robinson, media relations officers with Golden-Field RCMP.
“But most of all, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the suspected victims, who found out about the collision through social media before first responders made it to the scene.”
The three people have yet to be identified as they’re waiting for confirmation from the forensic analysis, police said.
B.C. Coroner Service, Golden-Field RCMP, BC Highway Patrol and RCMP collision analysis and reconstruction service are all involved in the investigation.
Police said the preliminary investigation shows the semi-truck heading west, which was hauling cattle, crossed the centre line and collided with the semi-truck going east that was carrying lumber.
The head-on collision took place about 35 kilometres east of Golden.
The fatalities are the fourth, fifth and sixth from vehicle collisions between Golden and Field on the Trans-Canada Highway this year.
One man was killed and another injured in a vehicle collision on Feb. 5 near Field about 30 kilometres west of Lake Louise, while a person was killed in a head-on collision between a logging truck and an SUV near Emerald Lake Road in Yoho National Park on June 15.
A man was killed on July 2 when a vehicle collided with a semi-truck about 17 kilometres west of Field.
RCMP are asking anyone with information – including dashboard camera video – to contact Golden-Field RCMP at 250-344-2221.
