Two injured, Trans-Canada Highway at Goldstream Park closed after fuel truck crash

CHEK

Westshore Towing tweeted this photo of a tanker truck that rolled over in Goldstream Provincial Park after a collision on May 24, 2018.

Westshore Towing tweeted this photo of a tanker truck that rolled over in Goldstream Provincial Park after a collision on May 24, 2018. Credit: @WestshoreT/Twitter

The Trans-Canada Highway was closed in both directions at Goldstream Provincial Park Thursday after a collision that left two people injured and led to a furnace oil leak.

According to West Shore RCMP, the collision between the fuel truck and the white transit van happened near Finlayson Arm Road at 10:54 a.m. The driver of the van was initially reported to have been trapped but was removed from the vehicle. Const. Matt Baker with the West Shore RCMP said the driver was seriously injured and was taken to hospital. He added that the injuries were non-life threatening.

The driver of the fuel truck is believed to have only mild injuries and is in stable condition.

The driver of a white transit van was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash involving a fuel truck on May 24, 2018.

The driver of a white transit van was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash involving a fuel truck on May 24, 2018.

Baker said after the crash, the truck was on its side and was leaking fuel. HAZMAT crews were called to the crash.

“[The] Langford Fire Department was able to contain the fuel leak and we can say that no fuel has entered the creek,” Baker said.

The Ministry of Environment confirmed that an undetermined amount of furnace oil leaked out of the truck into the ditch. Emergency Response Officers are investigating. The ministry said the truck was also carrying gasoline and diesel, but those did not leak.

Stuart Eaton from Mainroad said the fuel was contained to the area and clean up is underway.

West Shore RCMP are still investigating the crash and have closed the Trans-Canada Highway in Goldstream Park in both directions. Police said this is both as a precaution and to assess the fuel hazard.

“It will take a little while until we can figure out exactly what had happened so we are just going to ask the motorists to be patient. We will get the highway open as soon as we can, however, it will be a few hours,” Baker said.

Drive BC said the highway is expected to reopen at 4 a.m. but that time could change. Northbound traffic was being rerouted to the West Shore Parkway and southbound traffic was being rerouted to Finlayson Arm Road. Finlayson Arm Road is now open for emergency vehicles, local residents and non-commercial traffic, police said. Vehicles will be guided by a pilot car. There are lengthy delays and heavy congestion northbound on that road.

WATCH: Traffic is redirected on the West Shore Parkway following the collision on the Trans-Canada Highway at Goldstream Provincial Park.

West Shore Parkway Traffic Redirected

West Shore Parkway Traffic Redirected

Duration 12s

Police direct traffic at the Westshore Parkway following a collision on the Trans-Canada Highway at Goldstream Provincial Park.

Police direct traffic at the Westshore Parkway following a collision on the Trans-Canada Highway at Goldstream Provincial Park on May 24, 2018.

A long line of vehicles was at Brentwood Bay ferry terminal Thursday afternoon as drivers tried to avoid the collision area. BC Ferries said additional staff have been called in to accommodate the traffic volume. There will now be three additional sailings. From Brentwood Bay, the ferry will depart at 7:30 p.m., 8:40 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. From the Mill Bay ferry terminal, the vessel will leave at 8:05 p.m., 9:15 p.m. and 10:25 p.m.

The ferry accommodates 20 vehicles and 150 passengers. BC Ferries said customers can choose to travel as foot passengers and have a friend or family member pick them up on the opposite side as there is a high demand for vehicles on the ferry.

Another alternative via BC Ferries is the Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour and Vesuvius to Crofton routes. Due to the collision, these two routes are also experiencing significant traffic volumes.

A long line of cars at the Brentwood Bay ferry terminal on May 24, 2018. Drivers were trying to avoid Goldstream Provincial Park following a fuel tank collision.

A long line of vehicles at the Brentwood Bay ferry terminal on May 24, 2018. Drivers were trying to avoid Goldstream Provincial Park following a fuel tank collision.

A long line of vehicles at the Brentwood Bay ferry terminal on May 24, 2018. Drivers were trying to avoid Goldstream Provincial Park following a fuel tank collision.

A long line of vehicles at the Brentwood Bay ferry terminal on May 24, 2018. Drivers were trying to avoid Goldstream Provincial Park following a fuel tank collision.

And drivers can also can take a detour via Pacific Marine Circle (Highway 14 and Highway 18), approximately three hours between Duncan and Langford. The last fuel stops for drivers heading toward Duncan is in Sooke. For those heading to Victoria on that route, the last fuel stop is Cowichan Lake. More information on detours and alternate routes can be found on the Mainroad website.

WATCH:Mainroad staff hand out water and granola bars to drivers stuck in traffic. 

Mainroad hands out snacks

Mainroad hands out snacks

Duration 27s

Alexa HuffmanAlexa Huffman

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!