Rapidly changing conditions on high mountain roads contributed to the death of a 72-year-old man from Kimberley on Saturday morning.
Around 11 a.m. a Chevy full-sized pickup truck pulled out to pass a slower moving vehicle about five kilometres west of Nancy Greene Junction when it hit an icy and slushy patch in the middle of the road.
“It was one of those cases where there was slush and ice down the centre of the road where you don’t normally travel, but you would have to travel over that when you overtake,” said West Kootenay Traffic Services Constable Shayne Orr.
It was a long, straight stretch of road and the driver, William Almack, was not speeding in order to pass the slower vehicle, said Const. Orr,
As the vehicle hit the ice it spun out of control, leaving the road and rolling onto its side. The roof of the truck impacted a tree right where the driver was, killing him on impact.
Faye Almack, 68, a passenger was treated at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail for minor scrapes and injuries.
Several passersby stopped at the scene to render assistance to the couple, said Const. Orr.
“We would also like to remind the public that the road conditions in the Kootenays can change rapidly and can, at times, be deceiving,” said Const. Orr.