NANAIMO — One person was airlifted to hospital following a single vehicle crash just north of Lantzville.
The incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 22 around 6:15 a.m. involving a northbound vehicle which lost control, rolled and crashed just north of the Superior Rd. intersection of Hwy. 19.
RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the driver, a 38-year-old man from the central Island, sustained serious injuries as a result.
“We do believe, based on evidence at the scene, that the driver may have fallen asleep and gone off the roadway, over corrected and came back on the road and came to a rest after rolling several times.”
The incident along Hwy. 19, north of Superior Rd. saw northbound traffic halted. (DriveBC)Crews on scene reported downed BC Hydro power lines as a result of the crash, complicating efforts to reach the vehicle.
A BC Emergency Health Services helicopter landed on the highway around 7:10 a.m., with southbound lanes closed during the transfer of the driver.
Northbound traffic was blocked for the duration of the incident, around two hours, with detours in effect at Superior Rd., directing vehicles down Lantzville Rd.
One northbound lane of the highway was re-opened around 8:30 a.m., however crews remained on scene to continue clean up and their investigation.
“I’m sure there was a backlog for a period of time, we’re talking of a major highway being closed for upwards of two and a half hours,” O’Brien added.
An investigation into the incident continues.
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