2 people hospitalized as Stanley Park Causeway crash causes rush hour snarls in Vancouver

A crash at the south end of the Stanley Park Causeway just before rush hour on Monday led to the critical route being closed and delays due to traffic congestion, according to authorities.

DriveBC first tweeted about the crash at 3:30 p.m. Monday, showing a long lineup along the route that leads to West Vancouver via the Lions Gate Bridge.

Shortly after, the causeway was closed in both directions, with DriveBC warning of delays due to heavy traffic.

The road reopened at around 8:15 p.m. PT.

B.C. Emergency Health Services told CBC News that three ambulances responded to the crash, and one person was transported to hospital with critical injuries.

Another person was taken to hospital in stable condition, according to Jasprit Khandal, a BCEHS public information officer.

Vancouver fire crews had to use "extrication equipment" to rescue one of the people in the car, according to assistant fire chief Mike Purchas.

Purchas said the crash involved only a single vehicle, and the exact cause was unclear.

In a statement sentTuesday morning, Sgt. Steve Addison with the Vancouver Police Department said it appears the driver went into medical distress and lost control of the vehicle.

"The car struck a guardrail, travelled up an embankment, then rolled over on the road," Addison said. "A man in his 70s and a passenger were extracted and taken to hospital for treatment."