The northbound section along Highway 1 near McKenzie Avenue and Helmcken Road reopened Thursday evening.
Just after 5 p.m. Thursday, DriveBC announced “Road cleared” referring to the reopening of the northbound Highway 1 lanes near McKenzie Avenue, after a serious crash closed the 2.1-kilometre section for nearly three hours while emergency crews worked to transport two people to hospital, one in critical and the other in serious condition.
BC Emergency Health Services (BC EHS) told CHEK that at 2:08 p.m., paramedics responded to a “motor vehicle incident on the Trans-Canada Highway near Helmcken Road in Saanich.”
“Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to two patients who were transported to hospital, one in critical condition and one in serious condition,” said Paramedic Public Information Officer Brian Twaites.
In an update around 3:30 p.m., DriveBC said the northbound lanes remain closed for a 2.1-kilometre stretch between Exit 6: McKenzie Ave and Exit 8: Helmcken Road.
“Traffic is being rerouted via McKenzie/Burnside and Admirals/Island Hwy,” said DriveBC.
In a social media post around 3 p.m., Saanich Police said a “significant collision” occurred in the 1100-block of the Trans-Canada Highway, and that the northbound lanes between McKenzie Avenue and Helmcken Road were “closed for safety.”
Just after 3:30 p.m., Saanich Police said that its traffic safety unit and collision analysts were at the scene and was advising motorists to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
“Our SPD collision analysts are working to make the scene safe and determine the
cause. We extend our gratitude to our emergency partners for their professionalism and
compassion at the scene,” stated Insp. Damian Kowalewich.
Anyone with dashcam footage of the incident is urged to call SPD at 250-475-4321.
At 2:08 p.m. Thursday, Saanich Fire says it responded to a report of an MVI, a “possible roll over on the highway with an engine rescue and a ladder truck.”
Acting Platoon Captain Jesse Crawford says crews arrived and “found a single vehicle down a ditch or a bank on the side of the highway.”
According to Crawford, two occupants were injured.
“We assisted with getting them in the ambulance and they were transported to the hospital,” says Crawford.
Saanich Fire was on site for about 20 minutes to “help package the patients and get them to the ambulance,” he says.
DriveBC Highway cameras showed traffic backed up on the highway starting around 2:15 p.m.
Colton Weatherston says he was on the bus when he noticed traffic backed up near an embankment with fire, police and paramedics responding.
“I could see first responders going down into there with a stretcher,” says Weatherston.
Our Traffic Safety Unit & Collision Analysts are on scene for a significant collision in the 1100 Block Trans Canada Highway. The NB lanes from McKenzie Ave to Helmcken Rd are closed for safety & as part of the investigation. The well-being of those involved is the…
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) October 2, 2025