Two killed in Kootenay National Park crash

Columbia Valley RCMP said two drivers were killed in a head-on crash on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park on Wednesday, July 8. Police said officers were notified at about 5:36 p.m. of a serious motor vehicle incident near Simpson Monument on the highway. RCMP said a westbound vehicle crossed the centre line while negotiating a corner and collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle at highway speed. Both vehicles were occupied only by their drivers, who were pronounced dead at the scene. ### Where did the crash happen? Simpson Monument was the location identified by RCMP in statements carried by East Kootenay outlets on Thursday. Police said the crash happened on Highway 93 in Kootenay National Park, a north-south route through the park that Parks Canada has described as a vital corridor for residents and visitors. (wild1047.ca) DriveBC said the highway closure was between Kootenay Crossing Warden Station and Simpson River Trail, about 37 kilometres south of the British Columbia-Alberta border. Rocky Mountain Outlook reported the closure began after a vehicle incident at about 5:30 p.m. and lasted several hours. (wild1047.ca) ### What have police said about how the collision unfolded? RCMP said the initial investigation found that a westbound vehicle crossed the centre line while negotiating a corner. Police said that vehicle then struck an oncoming vehicle head-on at highway speed. Cpl. Brett Urano, an RCMP spokesperson, said in the police account that “this was a tragic incident that resulted in the loss of two lives.” Urano said police were thinking of the families and loved ones of the dead. (rmoutlook.com) ### Was anyone else involved? RCMP said a third vehicle was involved only peripherally in the incident. (wild1047.ca) Police said the two occupants of that vehicle were believed to have suffered minor injuries. BC Emergency Health Services, local fire and rescue personnel, STARS Air Ambulance, BC Highway Patrol and an RCMP collision reconstructionist also attended the scene, according to RCMP. (wild1047.ca) The BC Coroners Service was notified and attended as well. ### How long was Highway 93 closed? (wild1047.ca) Highway 93 remained closed while emergency crews and investigators processed the scene, RCMP said. DriveBC posted that the road was closed in both directions and advised drivers to use an alternate route. E-Know, citing RCMP, reported the highway reopened at about 1:05 a.m. on July 9. (wild1047.ca) Rocky Mountain Outlook separately reported the road reopened about 1 a.m. Thursday morning. ### What happens next in the investigation? The investigation remained ongoing on July 9, and RCMP said no criminality was suspected at this time. (wild1047.ca) The BC Coroners Service is involved, and police have not publicly identified the dead drivers. Parks Canada said on June 1 that Highway 93 South in the southern portion of Kootenay National Park is undergoing major upgrades and safety work this season. (e-know.ca) For travellers, the next public updates on road conditions are typically posted through DriveBC, while RCMP and the BC Coroners Service handle the collision investigation. (canada.ca) (wild1047.ca)