One man has died following a serious collision that closed the Malahat yesterday evening.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. yesterday evening, Shawnigan Lake RCMP received a report of a serious motor vehicle collision approximately three kilometres south of the Shawnigan Lake exit on the Trans-Canada Highway. Two northbound vehicles had reportedly collided and as a result two people were transported to Victoria General Hospital. In addition to police, B.C. Ambulance and the Malahat Fire Department attended the scene, with additional support from South Island Traffic Services.
A preliminary investigation indicates a red Dodge Caravan had, in an attempt to cross the highway to turn into a residential complex, pulled out from the northbound right shoulder of the road into the path of a northbound white Chevrolet pickup truck. The vehicles collided and ended up facing north on the right shoulder of the southbound lanes.
Both drivers were transported to Victoria General Hospital, with the driver of the van suffering life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the van later succumbed to his injuries.
The collision led to a three-hour closure of the highway in both directions.
The route reopened around 8 p.m.
"The RCMP would like to thank the public for their patience during the investigation of this tragic collision," stated Cst. Barry Darling with South Island Traffic Services.
Anyone with information in relation to this collision is asked to contact South Island Traffic Services at 250-416-0352.