Crash on Highway 1 in West Vancouver sends six to hospital
Posted September 21, 2022 12:41 pm.
Last Updated September 22, 2022 6:42 am.
A major crash on Highway 1 in West Vancouver Wednesday has sent six people to hospital.
B.C. Emergency Health Services got the call just before 11:30 a.m.
According to first responders, two of the people involved were in critical condition, while two others were in serious condition, and the remaining two were stable.
An earlier crash still has EB Upper Levels Hwy closed in #westvancouver between Westmount and Cypress Bowl Road. Crash investigation continues. Huge delays. @CityNewsTraffic pic.twitter.com/0NJToxlaY2
— Danger On Air (@DangerOnAir) September 21, 2022
The eastbound and westbound lanes on the Upper Levels Highway between Westmount Road and 21st Street were blocked until about 7 p.m. Wednesday while police conducted their investigation just east of Cypress Bowl Road. Both directions have since re-opened.
According to police, a vehicle was “travelling the wrong way” along Highway 1 when the crash happened.
“Early reports indicate that the driver of the motorhome was travelling westbound in the eastbound lanes when the vehicle caused two other vehicles to swerve before going head-on with the third and final vehicle,” a police release reads.
“This is a tragic incident,” said Cst. Nicole Braithwaite.
Darren Grieve, who has been in the CityNews Air Patrol for several years, says Wednesday’s crash was one of the worst he’s ever seen.
“It was on my mind for most of the evening. I don’t think I’ve seen a crash with that much damage to the vehicles involved — to the point where you’ve got two and three and four vehicles all in a big pile there and you really couldn’t tell one from the other. Never seen it before. Eight years I’ve been doing this, never seen it,” he said.
‘I can’t believe I’m alive’
Some people who were in the area — and who say they narrowly missed being involved in the crash — took to social media to share the terrifying moments.
“My husband just saved both of our lives,” reads one tweet.
The person says “a van was roaring full speed in the wrong lane” along Highway 1 near Taylor Way, forcing her husband to swerve with just “a split second” to spare.
“Car just behind us was hit — flew through the air. No time to warn them. I’m shaking. Devastated for the people in that car,” the tweet continues.
My husband just saved both of our lives. A van was roaring full speed in the wrong lane on Hwy 1 near Taylor Way. Husband had a split-second to swerve. Car just behind us was hit—flew through the air. No time to warn them. I’m still shaking. Devastated for the people in that car. https://t.co/RV0ko9iRBw
— Adriana Barton (@AdrianaBarton) September 21, 2022
Another person in the replies says they were in one of the vehicles that was hit.
“We are OK we just got out of the hospital!” reads the post, accompanied by images of a vehicle with heavy damage to the sides and windshield. “I can’t believe how far we flew!! We’re both very sore but we are okay I can’t believe I’m alive.”
Hey Adriana me and my brother were the people in the white vehicle behind you we are OK we just got out of the hospital! I can’t believe how far we flew!! We’re both very sore but we are okay I can’t believe I’m alive pic.twitter.com/GuoQYb7U5i
— Quinton Spence (@MrQtbs) September 21, 2022
Police are looking to speak with anyone who may have information or seen what happened. You can contact West Vancouver police at 604.925.7300 and quote file 22-11278.
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