Photo: Janet Crandall-Swaffield
Source: Golden Star
BRITISH COLUMBIA - The Donald Bridge strikes again.
On Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 6 am, approximately 24 kms west of Golden, near Donald, a semi tractor and trailer went through the bridge guardrail and down into the Columbia River. RCMP were dispatched to the scene.
Search & Rescue were called to assist in rescuing the driver and passenger trapped inside the tractor unit, in water, but not completely submerged. The driver and passenger were transported to hospital, where they were treated for, what is thought to be, non-life-threatening injuries.
The collision involved two semi tractor and trailer units, both eastbound. One unit initially lost control on the deck of the bridge, and the second unit impacted the first unit directly, sending the tractor and trailer over the side of the bridge and into the icy waters of the Columbia River below.
RCMP say while driving conditions were appropriate for this part of the country in winter, speed (too fast for the road condition) was definitely a factor.
HMC Road Superintendent for Golden, Gabriel Nava Lander was on the scene, but said it's simply too early to know all the details, and that full information would be released once the investigation is complete.
Columbia Towing and crew managed the clean up, with assistance from Chatter Creek operator Mike Jmaiff.
What could have been a tragic event, miraculously ends with damaged freight and vehicles. What a mess.
Following is the RCMP statement:
Golden RCMP responded to a two vehicle collision on Hwy#1 west of Golden at the Donald Bridge. Vehicle #1, a tractor trailer unit, was eastbound and failed to negotiate the left curve approaching the bridge. The vehicle made contact with the cement crash cushion and entered onto the bridge. The trailer then made contact with the westbound guard rail and the tractor made contact with eastbound guard rail. The tractor of the vehicle then broke free and went off the bridge into the Columbia River. The trailer was completely sideways on the bridge when vehicle #2, a tractor trailer unit, also travelling eastbound entered onto the bridge deck. Vehicle #2 was unable to stop and collided with the trailer of vehicle #1.
The two occupants of vehicle #1 were treated for injuries at the scene. A helicopter and sling were used to lift the injured from the shore line of the river to the ambulance. The two occupants were then transported to the Golden Hospital.
Driver and passenger of vehicle #2 were not injured.
Injuries to the occupants of vehicle #1 were minor.
Road conditions were good winter driving, light to moderate snowfall at the time. RCMP investigation is ongoing.
The highway was closed between Golden and Revelstoke for hours, but reopened in the afternoon, with traffic restricted to only one lane.
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