One person was taken to hospital in critical condition after a serious collision on Highway 1 in Burnaby early Wednesday, and westbound lanes remain closed as police investigate.
Closure and traffic diversions
Burnaby RCMP and B.C. Emergency Health Services responded to a motor vehicle incident shortly after midnight. Authorities closed the westbound highway between Kensington Avenue and Sprott Street, directing traffic off Highway 1 at Kensington and back onto the route via Sprott Street.
- Incident reported: just after midnight (Wednesday)
- Location of closure: Highway 1 westbound, between Kensington Avenue and Sprott Street
- Impact: motorists advised to avoid Highway 1 westbound toward Vancouver; major delays expected
At about 6:30 a.m. PT, Burnaby RCMP Corporal Mike Kalanj described the collision as a "serious collision" and warned the closure could be prolonged.
"The closure will be in effect for the next 3 to 4 hours, and potentially into the afternoon,"
What authorities have said
B.C. Emergency Health Services confirmed a patient was transported from the scene to hospital. RCMP and provincial traffic authorities said an investigation is underway; DriveBC warned motorists to expect significant delays as crews work to clear the scene and gather evidence.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Number of injured | One (critical condition) |
| Closed stretch | Highway 1 westbound between Kensington Ave and Sprott St |
| Traffic diversion | Off at Kensington Ave; back on via Sprott St |
| Estimated closure length (as of 6:30 a.m.) | 3–4 hours, possibly into the afternoon |
Local context and consequences
Highway 1 is a critical trans‑boundary corridor for commuters and freight on the Lower Mainland. A prolonged westbound closure through Burnaby can ripple across the region, increasing traffic on arterial roads and adding pressure to transit services. For Burnaby residents who rely on the route for work or deliveries, the interruption will mean longer commute times and potential delays for commercial shipments.
Traffic being routed off at Kensington Avenue will shift volumes onto local roads. Municipal and provincial agencies typically coordinate to manage such diversions, but residents near the detour points should expect heavier traffic and congestion until the highway reopens.
Police said further details would be released when available. At this stage, investigators are focused on establishing the sequence of events that led to the serious collision; no additional information about vehicles involved or contributing factors has been provided publicly.
Drivers are asked to heed all highway signage and the directions of officers at the scene, and to plan alternate routes if travelling toward Vancouver from the east. Authorities reiterated that the closure is in place until they have completed necessary emergency response and investigative work.
WE NEWS will update this story as more information becomes available from Burnaby RCMP and provincial agencies.
