1 dead after multi-vehicle crash in Surrey, B.C.

Police are investigating a serious multi-vehicle collision that left one person dead on the busy highway Monday morning,

One person is dead after a serious, multi-vehicle collision on Highway 1 through Surrey, B.C., on Monday.

The B.C. Highway Patrol says officers were called to a section of the highway near the 176^th Street exit just after 7:15 a.m.

Three vehicles were involved in the crash, including a car that “appeared to have crossed over from the eastbound lanes and caused a head-on collision” in the westbound lanes, according to a statement from Cpl. Michael McLaughlin.

“This collision was immediately and obviously serious, and that caused a complete shutdown of the highway,” McLaughlin added.

Investigators are seeking witnesses and video as they try to determine the cause of the crash. Police will not release the identities of those involved in the incident at this time, the statement said.

“Our first priority is to help the injured, then we need to start the investigation and inform the families of the dead and injured about what happened,” McLaughlin said.

“We encourage people to consider those families before they post photos of bodies to the internet.”

Anyone who saw the collision, or who has dash-camera video capturing the behaviours of drivers involved, is urged to contact the B.C. Highway Patrol’s Burnaby division at 604-526-9744.

“We’d like to remind everyone to be extra-cautious and consider slowing down to under the speed limit during dark, dangerous winter driving conditions,” McLaughlin said.

“Serious and fatal collisions are the last thing we want to see at Christmas.”