Traffic was backed up considerably in both directions after a six vehicle MVI in Chase River on Friday. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

medical incident

One dead following Hwy. 1 crash in south Nanaimo

Jun 2, 2023 | 12:57 PM

NANAIMO — An apparent cardiac arrest has claimed the life of a local man involved in a crash in Chase River.

Emergency crews were called to Hwy. 1 at Tenth St. around 11:50 a.m. on Friday, June 2 with six vehicles involved in a crash just north of the intersection.

Nanaimo RCMP Cpl. Virgil Bitz said on scene a 73-year-old driver of a vehicle suffered a medical incident while travelling along the highway near Haliburton St. He was in the car with a woman believed to be his wife.

“The unresponsive male behind the wheel came south at a high rate of speed, struck three other cars stopped at the light before coming to a rest.”

A truck hit by the vehicle then collided into two other vehicles stopped at the intersection.

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Bitz added the woman was taken to hospital as a precaution but did not have an update on her injuries.

No other significant injuries were reported.

“EHS attended, provided emergency life saving medical treatment to the driver and unfortunately he was declared deceased.”

NanaimoNewsNOW is withholding descriptions and photos of the vehicles involved pending notification of next of kin.

Traffic in both directions backed up as a result of the incident.

“The highway is closed with a detour at Haliburton St. on the southbound side, we’re still going northbound,” Bitz said. “That’s until we have the coroner attend the scene and then of course when the deceased is removed from the scene.”

It’s believed the area will be cleared mid-Friday afternoon.

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