Constable Laura Lechky says it appears the vehicle was travelling westbound on Highway 16, when it crossed the centre line and went down a steep embankment on the other side of the road near Rainbow Summit.

 

Constable Lechky says there were four occupants - all under the age of 18 - and two were thrown from the vehicle.  She says it is unclear if they had been wearing their seatbelts, one of them - the 15-year-old - was in critical condition and was flown out from Prince Rupert by air ambulance, but later succumbed to here injuries.

 

Police do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, but evidence suggests the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel.  RCMP reconstruction analysts examined the scene and the vehicle has been seized for a full mechanical inspection.