Serious crash closes part of Highway 99 for more than 12 hours

Emergency crews respond to a serious multi-vehicle crash on Highway 99 on Dec. 12, 2024.

Highway 99 was closed in both directions between Highway 91 and King George Boulevard for more than 12 hours due to a serious crash.

The closure snarled traffic for both the tail end of the Thursday evening and the Friday morning rush hours.

The multi-vehicle accident happened at around 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Highway 91 interchange, shutting down the highway between Surrey and Delta.

The Surrey Police Service said the crash started in the northbound lanes, causing a transport tractor trailer to cross the median into oncoming traffic. Several southbound vehicles were sandwiched between the truck and a second semi-truck.

Nine vehicles in total were involved in the crash, police said Friday morning. 

Video from the crash scene showed one vehicle flipped onto its roof on the side of the road. At least two others were rolled onto their sides.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said an air ambulance was called in for support and seven people were treated at the scene. Of the six who were taken to hospital, two are in serious, but non-life-threatning condition, and four are in a stable condition, said police.

“The specific cause of the multi-vehicle collision is still under investigation,” said Surrey Police Service's Ian MacDonald.

“We anticipate the traffic/road to be impacted by the continuing investigative work through the rush hour period."

Despite the serious injuries, it's a "small miracle" no one was killed, said MacDonald.

Drugs and alocohol have been ruled out as being factors involved in the crash, he added.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have dashcam video of the event is asked to call police.