A Revelstoke man is in hospital in Vancouver in critical condition after the pickup truck he was travelling in went off the road on Highway 23 just north of Nakusp sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Alcohol is suspected as a factor in the crash.
A 38-year-old man from Trail and the 25-year-old driver from Revelstoke were discovered by a passerby at about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2 when their grey Ford F-350 pickup truck was found crashed in the ditch about four kilometres north of Nakusp. The highway is lightly travelled at night, so the time of the crash is unknown.
A passerby first noticed the vehicle. When he stopped to investigate further, he found the two badly-injured men inside.
The men were both critically injured in the crash. They were treated and transported to Arrow Lakes Hospital in Nakusp before being flown to Vancouver Hospital, where they are both listed in critical condition.
Nakusp RCMP say they believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.
The 25-year-old Revelstoke man was working in the Nakusp area at the time. Just seven hours before the crash was discovered, RCMP stopped him and investigated him for impaired driving.
"As a result of this investigation, this driver was issued a 90-day 'immediate roadside prohibition' and the vehicle which he was operating was towed and impounded for 30 days," said Nakusp RCMP Cst. Mark Macaulay in a statement.
Nakusp RCMP believe the man subsequently obtained the Ford pickup and was driving it when it crashed. They believe he wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
The Trail man was believed to be visiting the area.
RCMP have not released names of those involved.
RCMP collision experts continue to investigate. Nakusp RCMP are seeking the public's assistance in the investigation. Any witnesses or those with information are asked to call Cst. Mark Macaulay at the Nakusp RCMP detachment at 250-265-3677.