Semi-truck explosion on Alaska Highway near Steamboat Mountain claims life of driver

One person is dead and a substantial multi-agency investigation is now underway following a semi-truck crash along the Alaska Highway near Steamboat mountain Tuesday morning, January 20th, that resulted in an explosion and an extended closure of the vital transportation corridor.

The Northern Rockies RCMP say people in the area at the time told them just before 5:00am that a north-bound semi-truck hauling flammable material, since confirmed to be propane, had failed the stop at a mandatory break check near Steamboat mountain. Immediately afterwards, they had witnessed a fireball and heard sounds of explosions in the distance.

RCMP say the scene itself, around 85kms north of Fort Nelson along the Alaska highway and just past the steamboat mountain break check, was not accessible to first responders until fire crews had tackled the blaze and secured the site. The drive of the semi was confirmed to be deceased at the scene.

The Highway had been closed into the evening but has since reopened to traffic. An investigation involving the BC Coroners Services, Fire Services, as well as Environment Canada and Transport Canada in addition to the Northern Rockies RCMP is still underway.