POLICE – Man, two children killed in single-vehicle crash on Highway 5A

UPDATE: Kamloops RCMP today said that “after further confirmation from health officials,” one of the children (aged five, not six as police earlier reported) survived the crash and is in grave condition in hospital in Vancouver.

Three people are dead after a single-vehicle accident on Highway 5A early Sunday evening.

At 5:45 p.m., Kamloops Rural RCMP and RCMP Southeast District Central Interior Traffic Services (CITS) attended a crash near Stump Lake.

Police say initial findings suggest a northbound car failed to negotiate a curve, went over a concrete barrier and down a steep embankment.  The driver of the vehicle, a 47-year-old man, was dead at the scene.

Two child passengers, ages eight and six, were rushed to hospital by ambulance but later succumbed to their injuries.  All three deceased were from southern Alberta.

The highway was closed for some time to allow police and the B.C. Coroners Service to investigate, but was reopened later in the evening.

Southeast District Central Interior Traffic Services and the B.C. Coroners Service continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this very tragic time,” stated Cpl. Jodi Shelkie.  “The RCMP would like to remind motorists to always drive defensively and cautiously.”