Section of Highway 97 Closed North of Mackenzie

Monday, February 11, 2008 01:25 PM

Prince George, B.C. - An avalanche on Highway 97 just north of SIlver Sands Creek has resulted in the shutting down of a section of the highway.

Highway 97 is closed between Powder King and Mount LeMoray.

The avalanche is said to be between 1/8 to 1/4 of a kilometer wide, and up to 30 feet deep.

The Provincial Emergency Program has been notified and avalanche experts are on the way to the scene. Once the expert has deemed the area safe, then snow removal equipment will start to clear the highway.

It is likely this stretch of highway will be closed for at least a couple of days.

A tractor trailer unit was involved in the avalanche, however, the driver was rescued safely. Although injuries are unknown at this time, they are not believed to be serious.

An alternate route from Central and southern B.C. to the Peace region of B.C. would be to use highway 40 in Alberta.

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