Coquihalla Highway re-opens, RCMP say semi crash left 1 dead

The Coquihalla Highway was re-opened Monday afternoon after police said a deadly,early-morning crash lead toit beingclosed in both directions nearMerritt, B.C.

RCMP said two semi-trailerscollided on the highway just south of the city.

A statement said one person has died and another was taken to hospital in serious condition.

The crash led to a large firecovering both southbound lanes of the highway.

"Due to the intense nature of the fire, it is dangerous for vehicles to pass, hence the highway closure," the statement read.

Officers with the Merritt RCMP are leading an investigation with support from the RCMP's B.C. Highway Patrol, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement officers, the B.C. Ambulance Service, and the B.C. CoronersService.

The B.C. Wildfire Service is also aware of the crashbecause of danger posed bythe fire.

RCMP said drivers can monitor DriveBC for updates on the highway closure, "which is expected to be lengthy."

DriveBCannounced the route had fully re-opened Monday afternoon.