Imagine being stuck in traffic, only to realize it’s because of a serious vehicle incident unfolding right before your eyes. That’s exactly what happened on the Malahat Highway Saturday afternoon, leaving drivers stranded and emergency crews racing to the scene. But here’s where it gets even more intense: reports suggest a vehicle was on fire, adding a layer of urgency to an already chaotic situation. And this is the part most people miss—how quickly emergency services mobilized, with five ambulances, a helicopter, and a supervisor rushing to assess and treat patients involved in the multi-vehicle incident (MVI).
The drama began just after 1:30 p.m. when Malahat Fire Rescue confirmed to CHEK News that crews were responding to a call near Bamberton Road. DriveBC quickly followed up at 1:47 p.m., tweeting about the incident and its impact on both lanes of traffic. Their update read, ‘Reports of a vehicle incident south of Bamberton Rd impacting both directions. Crews are en route.’ By just before 2 p.m., BC Emergency Health Services provided more details, stating, ‘Crews are responding. Patients are being assessed.’ Witnesses described traffic at a complete standstill as the fiery scene unfolded, painting a vivid picture of the disruption.
Here’s the controversial part: While emergency response times were swift, the incident raises questions about road safety on the Malahat Highway, a stretch notorious for its challenging terrain and frequent accidents. Could more preventive measures have been taken? Or is this simply an unavoidable risk of driving on such routes? CHEK News has reached out to the RCMP for further details, and we’ll keep you updated as the story develops.
Liz Brown, who joined CHEK News in 2024, brings a wealth of experience to this story, having worked with the National Film Board, CBC Radio, the Chetwynd Echo Newspaper, and NowMedia. Her expertise ensures a thorough and insightful coverage of this unfolding event. Stay tuned for more updates, and let us know in the comments—do you think more needs to be done to improve safety on highways like the Malahat? Your thoughts could spark an important conversation.
