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Jun 17, 2021 8:44 PM -

Fatal crash between two trucks near Merritt, B.C., raises risk of roadside wildfire

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A commercial truck driver has beenkilled on a British Columbia highway in a fiery crash that had thepotential to spread flames to the surrounding bush.

RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are investigating thecollision that happened last night on Highway 97-C, near Merritt.

Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey says a fully loaded lumber truck had brokendown and was parked on the shoulder when it was hit from behind by asecond truck.

Emergency crews could not pull the driver of that rig out of thewreckage before flames engulfed both vehicles.

O'Donaghey says the crash happened outside a fire protection zoneand police had to monitor the resulting fire through the night toensure it didn't spread.

Westbound lanes of Highway 97 remained closed for part of Thursday as both trucks continued to smoulder.

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