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Road tragedy in Sparwood BC claims a life

Road tragedy in Sparwood BC claims a life
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Emergency teams work hard at the scene of the collision on Friday.

A 78-year-old Pincher Creek man has died and his wife remains in a Calgary hospital with serious injuries after a collision Friday near Sparwood.

The collision, on Highway 3 west of Sparwood, took place after a westbound pickup truck pulling a fifth-wheel travel trailer crossed the centre line into the eastbound lane. An eastbound commercial vacuum truck attempted to avoid the pickup by pulling over as far as possible but was unable to prevent the collision.

Police said in a news release that the road conditions were bare and dry at the time, the weather was hot and sunny, and the traffic was heavy.

The driver of the pickup was pronounced dead at the scene. His 78-year old wife was taken to Calgary with serious injuries.

The driver of the vacuum truck was also taken to hospital with minor injuries and has been released.

No names are being released until all of the next of kin have been notified.

The investigation into the collision continues, according to police.

The RCMP said they were called at about 1:15 p.m. to a report of a motor vehicle collision on Highway 3 about two kilometres west of Sparwood at a location referred to as Finning Hill.

Members from the East Kootenay Traffic Services, Elk Valley Detachment, BC Ambulance and the Sparwood Fire Rescue Services attended the scene.

Highway 3 was closed to traffic at the time of the accident for a few hours.