SIKANNI CHIEF, BC -- A motor vehicle accident has closed the Alaska Highway at the Sikanni Chief bridge.
Fort St. John RCMP were called to the scene on Thursday just before 8:30pm. Preliminary investigations suggest a tanker truck collided into a barrier on the bridge and caught fire.
Police say the tanker was carrying a large quantity of flammable liquids, and found the tanker completely engulfed and emitting a large plume of toxic smoke.
The driver is believed to have died in the collision, but RCMP state that a definitive search of the scene has not been possible due to the hazards.
"Highway 97 was immediately shut down completely in the area due to the fire and the smoke," said Sergeant Chris Manseau, acting Senior Media Relations Officer for the BC RCMP. "BC Forestry wildfire has been notified as adjoining brush has caught fire from this collision and subsequent fire."
The BC Wildfire Service says crews are on standby, and they will be called in if the fire spreads farther from the highway.
The Fort St. John RCMP continues to investigate. The Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service and BC Highway Patrol members are currently en-route to the scene. Police Dog Services have been called in to search the area.
No detour is in place, and there is no anticipated timeline for re-opening the highway. An engineer from Fort St. John will attend the scene today to assess the damage to the bridge.
Police advise travellers to plan alternative routes, and remain in contact with anyone anticipating their arrival if they are delayed.
RCMP have notified both Worksafe BC and the BC Coroner Service.
This is the second closure of the Alaska Highway this summer. In July, the highway was closed for several days after a beaver dam caused a washout between the 897 and 900km markers.
