Prince George, B.C. –  One person has been killed and several others – including five children – injured in a head-on collision on Highway 16 between Prince George and Vanderhoof.

Prince George RCMP Traffic Services says the crash occurred approximately 22-kilometres east of Vanderhoof just after 6pm this evening.  Sergeant Pat McTiernan says an adult passenger in an eastbound vehicle succumbed to injuries suffered in the collision, the driver is in critical condition in hospital in Vanderhoof, an infant and a small child in the backseat appear to be okay.

The adult driver and three children in the westbound have been transported to the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George.  Sergeant McTiernan says their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.  McTiernan says the identities and hometowns of those involved in the crash are not yet known – he says officers are on-scene at both hospitals.

Highway 16 was closed to all traffic for several hours while emergency personnel attended to those at the crash scene.  The route is now open to single-lane alternating traffic, via a detour, but McTiernan says commercial vehicles are not able to make their way through the detour.  It is not known when the highway will fully re-open.

A traffic reconstructionist remains on the scene.

Sergeant McTiernan says today’s heavy snowfall, followed by the freezing rain and, now, dropping temperatures is making for very treacherous road conditions.

"The RCMP is asking everyone not to travel on on the area highways, unless absolutely necessary," says McTiernan.  "If you have to venture out into traffic, please slow down and drive to the weather conditions."