The Interior Health Authority (IHA) has confirmed the sodium hydroxide that spilled yesterday when a tractor trailer crashed on the Coquihalla Highway around Larson Hill has leaked into the Coldwater River.
IHA spokesperson Michaela Swan told the Herald the IHA and Ministry of Environment have been monitoring the situation, and the initial findings are that the risk to human health from this spill is low.
The Coquihalla Highway was closed in both directions on Monday following the accident.
A lane closure is still in effect for northbound traffic as hazmat crews are still on scene today (Nov.17) cleaning up a spill of the chemical from the crash.
The incident occurred in the northbound lane, but the resulting debris ended up blocking the Coquihalla Highway southbound as well.
“The truck itself completely blocked the road. There was nowhere to go,” RCMP Cpl. Doug Hardy told the Herald.
He said the accident involved a single vehicle B-train style truck carry two bladders of the chemical, and resulted in minor injuries to the driver.
Hardy said that given the damage done to the median, speed as well as the icy road conditions were contributing factors to this crash.
Highway 5 northbound reopened to allow one lane past the crash site at about 11 p.m. Monday night, while southbound lanes were fully reopened by about 10 p.m., said VSA spokesperson Bob Gilowski.
