Police confirm fiery crash on BC Hwy 1 was fatal

One person is dead following Thursday’s early-morning crash on the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) between Cache Creek and Spences Bridge.

Emergency crews were called to the scene shortly before 7 am, where they found the accident scene involving two semis, one of them completely engulfed in flames.

“The initial investigation has determined that the two vehicles collided head on while negotiating a curve,” noted an RCMP release.

The northbound trailer came to rest down a steep embankment on the CN track below, which resulted in the closure of the railway.

Unfortunately, that rig went up in flames and the driver, a man from the Lower Mainland, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police had previously said the driver was "unaccounted for" when they provided an update late Thursday morning.

The driver of the southbound semi was uninjured and police say they’re cooperating with investigators.

The BC Highway Patrol’s Kamloops branch has assumed conduct of the investigation, which is still in its early stages.

“All avenues of investigation are being considered, however, impairment by drugs or alcohol have been ruled out as a factor in the crash,” the RCMP release said.

The crash closed Hwy 1 for nearly 17 hours on Thursday. Both the road and railway have reopened.

Police are not releasing any further information at this time, but are urging any additional witnesses to come forward by calling the BCHP Kamloops at 250-828-3111 (ext. 2).