Thursday April 24, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
In the late afternoon today April 24 at about 4:36 pm West Shore RCMP was called to the scene of a serious collision involving multiple vehicles near the 4000-block of Highway 14 (aka Sooke Road) in Metchosin.
The highway was expected to be shut down in both directions (east and west) at that location for about two hours so that emergency crews could attend the scene. The road was opened back up at 6:30 p.m.
The full stop on traffic flow occurred during the after-work commute for people who live in Sooke returning from jobs in Langford, Victoria or beyond.
Importance of Highway 14:
Highway 14 is the one-route-in/one-route-out for residents of Sooke. The impacted 8.7 km stretch ran from Langford to about half-way to Sooke from Langford. Sooke’s economy is highly dependent on tourism, with Highway 14 being the only route in or out (other than a long way around on the Pacific Marine Circle Route).
Highway closures impact families, businesses, tourists and people hoping to get to the airport or ferry terminals on time. That was a key politically motivating factor for the BC NDP government several years ago to spend millions on improving road safety conditions on Highway 14 with a new four-lane section and other improvements.
“Thank you for your patience at emergency crews worked the scene,” said West Shore RCMP in their news release.
West Shore RCMP covers Langford and Metchosin (as well as Colwood and View Royal). Sooke RCMP handles the Sooke area.
As an alternative route, Kangaroo Rd had remained open to drivers.
Support on scene:
Metchosin Fire had crews on scene with three apparatus: duty vehicle, engine and rescue vehicle.
Fire crews assisted with traffic control and patient care before handing the scene over to RCMP.
“Three units were dispatched and three patients treated, with one transported,” stated BC EHS.
Cause unreported:
So far no details have been made available about the cause of the crash. At this time of year the alignment of the setting sun can be blinding for drivers who are heading west.
File:
RCMP File # 2025-7659
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NEWS SECTIONS: SOOKE | TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION