Police credit the driver of a semi for preventing a two-vehicle collision on Highway 1, east of Sicamous, from becoming a tragedy.
Sicamous RCMP responded to a report of the collision, involving a commercial transport truck and a motorhome, around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. Near the Cambie Solsqua Road intersection, officers found a semi with a ruptured diesel tank spilling fuel onto the highway, as well as the motorhome with what Sgt. Murray McNeil described as “extensive front-end damage.”
McNeil said both vehicles were occupied only by their drivers who were not injured in the incident.
Investigating officers determined the driver of the eastbound motorhome had pulled over and stopped on the eastbound shoulder of the highway near the turn for Cambie Solsqua Road.
“The driver then attempted to turn left from the shoulder across both lanes of the highway to enter Cambie Solsqua Road,” said McNeil in a media release. “The driver of the eastbound semi did not have time to avoid a collision (and) despite his best efforts, the semi sideswiped the front of the motorhome.”
The Sicamous Fire Department was called in to contain the diesel spilled on the highway, which was closed for approximately a half hour before being opened to alternating traffic.
The driver of the motorhome was issued a ticket for driving without due care and attention, and Murray said “the driving skills of the semi driver and his ability to react quickly prevented this incident from becoming a tragedy.”
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lachlan@saobserver.net
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