1 dead, 1 in critical condition after Malahat Highway crash

A police car with flashing lights. (AP-Matt Rourke)

A woman is dead and three people have been taken to hospital—one of them in critical condition—after a serious crash on Highway 1 on southern Vancouver Island Saturday afternoon.

Investigators believe two vehicles collided head-on, one of them catching fire and the other being pushed down an embankment, Shawnigan Lake RCMP said in a news release.

One woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and police believe there were “at least four” occupants in the two vehicles, the detachment said. It did not specify which vehicle the deceased victim was in, or how many people were inside each vehicle.

Officers from both Shawnigan Lake RCMP and B.C. Highway Patrol responded to the scene, according to Mounties.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said in a statement that it dispatched three basic life-support ambulances, two advanced life-support ambulances, a paramedic supervisor and an air ambulance to the scene.

“Three patients were transported to hospital, one in critical condition and two in stable condition,” the statement reads.

The call came in at 1:15 p.m., according to BCEHS, which said the crash occurred on the Malahat Highway—as that stretch of the route is known—between Whittaker and Mill Bay roads.

Social media posts from DriveBC indicate a “vehicle incident” closed the highway in both directions south of Bamberton Road.

“Highway 1 is expected to experience significant delays and will be closed while emergency responders and investigators remain on scene,” police said in their release.

“Motorists are asked to avoid the area if possible and follow direction from traffic control personnel.”

A detour was available via Shawnigan Lake Road, according to DriveBC.

“If you have witnessed the collision and have not yet spoken to an investigator or have any dash camera footage, please contact the Shawnigan Lake RCMP and quote file number 26-86,” police said.