Sicamous RCMP say they are investigating a likely fatality after a single-vehicle accident on the Bruhn Bridge resulted in a semi-truck submerged in the channel.
Just before 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, an eastbound semi on Highway 1 crashed through the barrier of the bridge and sank to the bottom of the approximately 30 feet-deep water.
"The driver's presumed deceased at this time," Sgt. Murray McNeil said. "The Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue has been out since early this morning and the driver has not been located... and we have the RCMP dive team called in and they'll go in and see if they can recover the driver."
Highway 1 is closed indefinitely at this time, with traffic being rerouted to Highway 97A, though it was also briefly closed due to another vehicle incident. An inspector from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure attended the scene on the Bruhn Bridge to complete an assessment prior to reopening the road.
"He has to do an assessment of the bridge, deem it structurally sound or not, if it needs further repairs, and once he gives it the OK... then they can look at possibly putting up a temporary barrier there and opening up the bridge at a reduced speed," McNeil said. "But that's his call and his decision and it could be closed for an extended period of time."
The truck appeared to be hauling parcels, which were washing up near the Beach Park, with McNeil adding that they've called the tow company that will be dealing truck to send staff to collect the parcels as part of the recovery.
