Clearwater RCMP responded to 16 calls for service this past week including a vehicle fire and a collision between a pickup and semi near Blue River.
On Monday, Dec. 9 at 5:02 p.m. Little Fort Fire Department called Clearwater RCMP to report a vehicle fire at 9972 Little Fort Rest Area Road, in Little Fort, B.C.
Sgt. Grant Simpson, detachment commander for the Clearwater RCMP said the fire chief requested RCMP assistance to support the driver who was stranded by himself with all of his belongings, after his vehicle, a Toyota Rav 4 caught on fire and was destroyed.
"Cpl. Meyer attended and observed that the Alberta-plated vehicle, had an engine fire and vehicle was a total write-off," Simpson said. "Cpl. Meyer attended and obtained photos, which he later attached to the police file electronically. The registered owner and driver, a 21-year-old male out of Edmonton, reported he was on his way to Whistler, B.C. for a cook's job when the engine caught on fire.”
Simpson reported the stranded owner did not have comprehensive insurance so he e-transferred money to the local tow company to come and recover the vehicle. “He then packed all of his belongings and recovered items in the police vehicle. Cpl. Meyer transported the male to the Wells Gray Hotel where he got a room and was able to store his belonging and make arrangements for transportation the following day,” added the Simpson. A file number was provided to the male and motor vehicle checks attached to the file. The fire report was provided to the Blackpool fire chief for a report to the Fire Commissioner.
Simpson also reported that on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10:38 a.m., an Alberta Beach, Atla. man called the Clearwater RCMP advising he and his brothers had just been side-swiped by a semi north of Blue River, B.C., while in his pickup, pulling an enclosed trailer with sleds. "There were no injuries and both vehicles were off the road and tow trucks had already been arranged for as both vehicles were totalled.”
No file was originally created as police were not needed. At 11:34 p.m., a witness called advising of the accident at which time a file was created and Const. Van Woudenberg was advised.
Const. Van Woudenberg called the Alberta Beach driver and confirmed that an ambulance was required, and tows were arranged. Conversation and photos sent by the pickup driver to police, made it evident the semi, driven by an Edmonton man, didn't slow in time and when the pickup driver attempted to turn off the highway, the commercial driver sideswiped the passenger side of the pickup, and both vehicles left the roadway into the ditch on the right side, said Simpson, adding no police attendance was required. Photos and details provided by the pickup driver and confirmation via phone call with the Edmonton based transport company confirmed who their driver was as ABLP licence checks were negative on the plate.
Simson said the provided photos were added to the electronic police file and that no accident report was completed as all vehicles were out of province.
