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Motorcycle crash snarls holiday traffic on Highway 99

Southbound drivers report being stuck in gridlock for hours on BC Day
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BUMPER TO BUMPER An overhead view from Monday, Aug. 3 of the gridlock on Highway 99 in Squamish that was the result of a motor vehicle accident near Brohm Lake. Photo by Taavo Martin

An accident on Highway 99 in Squamish snarled traffic on the holiday Monday, Aug. 3, making it an extra long weekend for some drivers.

Just before 3 p.m., a motorcycle travelling northbound crossed the centre line south of Brohm Lake and collided with another vehicle.

"Why that happened, I don't know, but we're looking into it and interviewing witnesses to try and figure it out," said Squamish RCMP Sgt. Brian Cumming. A female passenger on the motorbike was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital with what medical personnel initially believed was a severe head injury.

"My understanding is that (the injury) is not as serious as initially thought, and hopefully it stays that way," Cumming added.

The crash held up highway traffic considerably on the BC Day holiday as many were making their way back to the Lower Mainland from Whistler. Some drivers reported on social media taking up to four or five hours to get from Whistler to Vancouver.

Single-lane traffic was restored in both directions nearly three hours after the accident, said Cumming, who urged drivers to be extra cautious on the roads during the busy summer season.

"Obviously there's a higher volume of traffic on the highway, so everyone really just needs to be extra careful and drive safely," he said.