An unidentified man died and Highway 99 was closed in both directions for about three hours after a fiery, single-vehicle crash south of Porteau Cove on Wednesday (Feb. 22).
Squamish RCMP Sgt. Wayne Pride said the crash occurred in the northbound lanes of the highway just after 10:30 a.m. Pride said he believed the lone occupant of the vehicle had died, but could provide no further details.
The crash resulted in the truck catching fire, Mountain FM radio and witnesses reported. The Vancouver Sun's website included images of the crumpled mass of what appeared to be a Dodge pickup truck after the fire was extinguished. Debris from the crash and fire were scattered on the road.
"This was a terrible accident," Harry Midgley wrote in a comment after a story about the crash was posted on The Chief's website. "I was first responder on scene. I did not see it happen, I arrived to a burning wreck.
"I did, however, share this man's last moments as I tried to rescue him from the burning vehicle. There were others who helped as well, but after the extinguishers were empty, we had no way to fight the fire.
"I wish to give his family my utmost condolences, and that I am so sorry for this tragic loss."
The victim's identity has not been released. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
While the highway was closed, southbound traffic was stopped about 500 metres south of the Porteau Road interchange, and those who wished to turn around and return to Squamish were being allowed to do so at a point where the highway median barriers ended. Northbound motorists told Mountain FM that they were being allowed to turn around as well.
