AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 29, 2026
B.C. Interior Hit by Season's First Major Snowfall
The first significant snowfall of the season across British Columbia's Interior has led to multiple vehicle crashes and temporary highway closures. Emergency responders spent much of Tuesday night and Wednesday morning attending to a series of traffic incidents as snow blanketed the region.
Serious Crash Near Kamloops Sends Five to Hospital
The first major incident took place Tuesday night on Highway 1 near Kamloops. A Ford Focus left the road, plunging approximately 60 feet (18 metres) down an embankment. According to RCMP, police, fire, and rescue crews from the nearby New Afton mine responded to the scene. All five occupants of the vehicle were transported to hospital, with two individuals remaining in critical condition as of Wednesday. The cause of the crash is under investigation, but RCMP Cpl. Dana Napier stated that impairment is not believed to be a factor at this time. It is unclear if weather conditions played a role in this particular accident.
Highway Closures Across the Region Due to Traffic Incidents
As snow continued to fall on Wednesday, numerous other highways across the B.C. Interior experienced closures and traffic disruptions. Highway 97C, both north and east of Merritt, was closed early in the day due to multiple vehicle incidents. B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) reported that three people were hospitalized in stable condition after the first incident on this route; there were no hospitalizations in a subsequent incident the same morning.
Other highways affected included Highway 16 west of Houston, in northwestern British Columbia, and Highway 97 north of Quesnel. According to DriveBC, these roads were also closed on Wednesday morning after vehicles spun out and blocked traffic. BCEHS confirmed that one person was taken to hospital in stable condition in each of these incidents.
Officials Urge Drivers to Adjust to Snowy Conditions
In light of these events, Cpl. Dana Napier urged drivers to exercise caution and adjust their travel plans when winter weather is forecast. "Consider changing plans if it looks like a snowstorm or a weather system is moving in," she advised, underlining the importance of adapting driving behavior to current road conditions.
Winter Tires Recommended for Road Safety
Rob Bertrand, a tire shop manager in Kamloops, highlighted the importance of using proper winter-rated tires. He stressed that only tires with the snowflake symbol are suitable for driving on slushy mountain roads. "You should have a snowflake [symbol on your tires]. Don't trust the M and S (mud and snow)," Bertrand said. "It should be snowflake-rated or nothing." His advice echoes longstanding public safety messages about preparing vehicles for winter driving conditions.
Snowfall Brings Renewed Focus on Road Safety
Emergency services continue to monitor road conditions as the region manages the aftermath of the snowfall. With multiple traffic incidents and hospitalizations, officials are reminding drivers to prioritize safety, check weather forecasts, and ensure vehicles are properly equipped for winter driving.
Source: cbc.ca.
