Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Overnight crash

UPDATE: One person transported to hospital after van tumbles off Chilliwack Lake Road

Jan 1, 2026 | 12:05 PM

UPDATE: A B.C. Emergency Health Services spokesperson says three ambulances were dispatched after a motor vehicle incident in the 55000 block of Chilliwack Lake Road early New Year’s Day.

“BC Emergency Health Services received a call at 12:55 am this morning, about an MVI in the 55000 block of Chilliwack Lake Road,” the statement said. “Three ambulances were dispatched, and paramedics attended and assessed those on scene for injuries. One patient was transported to hospital with minor injuries.”

Original story: 

CHILLIWACK — First responders were called to the Chilliwack River Valley overnight after a van veered off Chilliwack Lake Road and into a rushing river.

Social media lit up early New Year’s Day after scanner traffic indicated that a vehicle veered off Chilliwack Lake Road sometime around 1:20 a.m., tumbled down an embankment and into the rushing river beneath the Slesse Creek Bridge. It’s estimated the vehicle went 20-25 feet down the embankment.

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Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

The accident happened just west of 55205 Chilliwack Lake Road, site of the Chilliwack River Salmonid Enhancement Facility.

A tow truck from AJ Towing Inc. in Chilliwack arrived on scene Thursday morning at about 10:50 a.m. Two tow truck personnel were observed looking over the Slesse Creek Bridge at the heavily damaged vehicle on the banks of Slesse Creek. There is orange caution tape strung along the bridge where the accident occurred, along with orange delineator posts.

There were reports that a person was ejected from the vehicle and into the river, and that Chilliwack Search and Rescue personnel were deployed to assist with the rescue efforts. The scene was reportedly left with CSAR at approximately 2:10 a.m., and Chilliwack River Valley fire crews were reportedly cleared from the scene.