Yale – A 43-year-old Mission man was killed when his transport truck careened off the Emory Creek bridge at approximately 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 27.
The trucker, hauling produce into the interior, lost control of his 2010 Peterbilt on a gentle curve entering onto the bridge, taking out a 60 foot section of guard rail at mid-span, before crashing 12 metres down into the creek.
At the time of the accident, there was compact snow on the road with some freshly fallen snow on top, said RCMP Sgt. Peter Thiessen.
"At this point in the investigation, it would appear that the causal factor for this collision would be speed relative to the road conditions. However, a mechanical inspection will be conducted."
Anyone who might have seen the vehicle before the collision or who witnessed the accident is asked to call Const. Roddie Cairns at the Fraser Valley Traffic Services office, 604-702-4039.
The Hope Search and Rescue swift water team assisted the police in recovering the driver's body.
Heavy snowfall in the area continued overnight throughout the Hope region. A travel advisory was also issued for the alternate route of Highway 5 with police recommending on Sunday that the public not travel unless absolutely necessary.
Last week, a crash between three transport trucks also on the Emory Creek Bridge claimed the life of a passenger in one of the trucks. Road conditions at the time were slippery also due to heavy snowfall.
Check www.drivebc.ca for current road conditions.