UPDATE: Coquihalla fully reopens overnight after 12-hour closure

(UPDATE: July 11 @ 6:20 am) - The Coquihalla Highway (Hwy 5) fully reopened to traffic around 2:30 am.

The northbound lanes had previous opened late Monday afternoon, but the southbound lanes remained shuttered for several more hours.

✅ CLEAR - #BCHwy5 Southbound is now fully open after a vehicle incident between #HopeBC and #Merritt at Box Canyon, near the #GreatBearSnowshed. #Coquihalla

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 11, 2023

During the closure, traffic trying to get to the Lower Mainland from Merritt was forced to detour to Hope by using Hwy 5A and Hwy 3.

Unfortunately, the influx of traffic and another incident on Hwy 3 meant vehicles were delayed for multiple hours trying to get through Princeton and on the road through Manning Park.

The Hwy 5 crash was widely speculated to be fatal, but that has yet to be confirmed by officials.

NowMedia will provide further information on that when it becomes available.

(UPDATE: July 10 @ 9:55 pm ) - Highway 5 southbound remains closed, but is estimated to open at 2 am, according to DriveBC.

⛔ UPDATE - #BCHwy5 Southbound remains CLOSED due to a vehicle incident between #HopeBC and #Merritt at Box Canyon, near the #GreatBearSnowshed. Detour via #BCHwy5A to #BCHwy3. Estimated time of opening is 2am. #Coquihalla
ℹ️ For more info: https://t.co/DBjkBnInLD pic.twitter.com/zB9OCikuEs

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 11, 2023

(UPDATE: July 10 @ 5:55 pm) - Highway 5 has opened to northbound traffic, but Highway 5 southbound remains closed following a vehicle incident at Box Canyon between Hope and Merritt.

Drivers should still prepare for delays due to heavy congestion heading northbound.

A detour is also available via Highway 5A to Highway 3, and an assessment is ongoing.

⛔ UPDATE - #BCHwy5 Southbound remains CLOSED. northbound open, but with heavy congestion due to a vehicle incident between #HopeBC and #Merritt at Box Canyon, near the #GreatBearSnowshed. Detour via #BCHwy5A to #BCHwy3. #Coquihalla
ℹ️ For more info: https://t.co/DBjkBnInLD pic.twitter.com/qfhXT1ytDA

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 11, 2023

(Original Story: July 10 @ 2:56 pm) - DriveBC is reporting a vehicle incident that has closed a section of the Coquihalla Monday afternoon.

At about 2:50 pm, an advisory was issued for the Box Canyon area between Hope and Merritt.

⛔ UPDATE - #BCHwy5 CLOSED Southbound due to a vehicle incident between #HopeBC and #Merritt at Box Canyon, near the #GreatBearSnowshed. Assessment in progress. Detour via #BCHwy5A to #BCHwy3. #Coquihalla
ℹ️ For more info: https://t.co/DBjkBnHPW5 pic.twitter.com/o0pQLh2QIz

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) July 10, 2023

An assessment is ongoing, but anyone driving the Coquihalla or is stuck in traffic should prepare for major delays.

A detour is available via Highway 5A or Highway 3.

Pictures posted to the Coquihalla Road Reports Facebook group show long lines of traffic at a standstill.

At this time, no estimated time of reopening has been provided.

KelownaNow staff will monitor DriveBC and update this story as more details are provided.