Update:
The RCMP have confirmed that two people have died in the crash near McLeese Lake Thursday evening.
"With the assistance of the BC Coroners service, our preliminary investigation now shows that investigators have been able to determine that two persons from the passenger vehicle are deceased," said Cpl. Dave Tyreman, North District RCMP media relations Friday afternoon. "We are still trying to notify the next of kin."
Original story:
The Williams Lake RCMP remain on the scene of a motor vehicle collision that occurred Thursday at 9:56 p.m. approximately five kilometres north of Mcleese Lake.
Officers arrived on the scene to learn that a passenger vehicle collided with a transport truck and both vehicles burst into flames, said Cpl. Dave Tyreman, media relations with RCMP North District.
"Due to the severity of damage to the passenger vehicle, police were not able to determine the number of possible occupants of the vehicle," Tyreman said, noting the cause of the collision is unknown at this time and officers are still on scene.
McLeese Lake Volunteer Fire Department Society President Ian Hicks said his crew received a message about the fiery crash from a local resident who was driving home from Quesnel and came upon the scene.
The fire department brought the crew cab, one-ton truck and equipment that it uses in the winter months.
"What worked really well was the fire suppressant foam pack that we have," Hicks said of his crew's efforts. "It knocked the fire down while the fire extinguishers did nothing."
The firefighting truck used has a 1,000 litre water tank and carries water totes in the back that are filled with water retrieved through the ice on McLeese Lake.
Highway 97 is currently open to single lane, alternating traffic.