2 killed in head-on collision on Hwy 1 in West Vancouver: police

Two people were killed in ahead-on collision on Highway 1 in West Vancouver, B.C., late Wednesday, police said.

Around 11:40 p.m. PT, a vehicle travelling eastbound in the westbound lanes near Westport Road crashed head-on into another vehicle, the West Vancouver Police Department said in a releaseThursday morning.

Other passengerswere taken to hospital, police said, but it's not known how many.

Westbound traffic on Highway 1 was closed at Westport Road and access to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal was blocked asthe Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service investigatedthe scene.

The highway fully reopened shortly before 9 a.m., according to DriveBC.

"West Vancouver Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of those impacted and thanks the West Vancouver public for their patience and co-operation," police said in the release.

B.C. Ferries said it delayed the 6:30 a.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay in Nanaimo because of "unanticipated crew absences" as a result of the crash.

"We are currently contacting all potential replacement crew members as quickly as possible so we can resume service with the goal of keeping you moving in a safe and timely fashion," B.C. Ferries said in a service notice posted just after 7 a.m.

The 6:30 a.m. sailing departed about 90 minutes late, B.C. Ferries later said, adding that it expects three subsequent sailings on the same route to be delayed:the 9:05 a.m. from Departure Bay, the 11:25 a.m. from Horseshoe Bay, and the 1:40 p.m. from Departure Bay.

Thecoming Canada Day long weekend is the second busiest weekend for B.C. Ferries,with about 500,000 passengers expected to travel, saidCeilidh Marlowwith the ferry operator.

"It definitely is going to be busy and we appreciate everyone's patience as we try to mitigate this unforeseen situation at Horseshoe Bay," she said in an interview.