A section of the Pine Pass just south of Powder King re-opened Tuesday night more than eight hours after commercial vehicle hauling an explosive substance rolled into a ditch.
From about noon until 9 p.m. Highway 97 was closed in both directions about 24 kilometres north of the Mackenzie Junction. It re-opened to single-lane traffic that evening, according to an update Drive BC tweeted at 9:05 p.m.
North District RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Madonna Saunderson said RCMP would not confirm what the explosive material was and provided no further details about the crash.
"The substance is not being released at this time," she said by email. "The investigation is ongoing and the causal factors have yet to be determined. A mechanical inspection is scheduled to be done on the vehicle today."
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, which oversees Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement, also declined to offer details about the accident or substance.
"CVSE is assisting the RCMP with the investigation into this incident," the ministry statement said. "The investigation is ongoing, so we are not able to provide any further information at this point. For any information about the investigation, please contact local RCMP."
Saunderson said her latest information showed the highway was still single-lane as crews clean up the crash scene.
Early Tuesday afternoon it was unclear how long the accident would close the highway. Cell phone service blocked access to the Mackenzie officers on scene and a dangerous goods official from the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement had to drive to the scene from Valemount - five hours away.
The company connected to the material carried by the semi-trailer also sent workers to the accident, Saunderson said Tuesday. Police confirmed Thursday the driver sustained minor injuries and the semi was the only vehicle involved in the crash.
This is a developing story. If you have information or photos, please email [email protected].
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