A transport truck driver is in hospital in Victoria following a scary crash on Highway 4 west of Port Alberni early Tuesday morning.
Just after midnight, the eastbound truck went across the oncoming traffic lane just east of the Kennedy Lake rest area before tumbling down a 30-meter embankment and landing in Kennedy River.
The truck was loaded with hog fuel and the driver was taking it from Toquart Bay to Port Alberni.
The truck severed a power pole on its way down and a passing motorist, who saw the low power lines called for help.
Rescuers arrived to find the truck’s cab close to being three-quarters submerged in water. Despite his injuries, the driver was able to climb onto the cab where he waited until help arrived.
BC Ambulance took the driver to hospital in Port Alberni before he was airlifted to Victoria but Ucluelet RCMP say he’s in stable condition and was talking at the scene.
The trucking company has put booms around the truck on the river as a precaution. One employee said this morning there didn’t appear to be any leaks so far from the truck into the river.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
There were delays and closures on Highway 4 throughout the day Tuesday while BC Hydro crews worked to repair the downed power lines and tow trucks attempted to lift the truck back up the embankment.
For more information watch the story as it aired on CHEK News
Kendall Hanson
