One person has died and two more are in hospital in serious condition following a fiery crash on the Burrard Street Bridge early Tuesday morning.
Vancouver police continue to investigate and the bridge was closed in both directions to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists for close to 12 hours.
Police are releasing few details at this time. However, Sgt. Jason Robillard said it appears the two vehicles, one of which was a taxi, appeared to have been driving in different directions across the bridge at the time of the crash, which occured at about 1 a.m.
"I can say that speed was definitely a factor in this accident," he added.
The bridge re-opened to traffic just after 1 p.m.
Holy sh*t! There was a huge explosion on the Burrard St. Bridge about 20 minutes ago @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/W1cxWsudHT
— Brandon Thompson (@limitscrw) December 19, 2017
In an update later Tuesday, Robillard said an Audi R8 sports car, a luxury vehicle that can retail for upwards of $200,000, was traveling north on the bridge when the driver lost control, crossed the centre line and collided with the southbound taxi.
"The Audi R8 is definitely a sports car and it is built for speed and in this collision speed was definitely a factor," Robillard said.
"Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and the collision caused at least one of the vehicles to burst into flames," he said.
The lone occupant of the Audi, who has not been identified, died at the scene. The 68-year-old taxi driver and his passenger, a man in his 30s, remain in hospital in serious condition. Both are Vancouver residents.
"First responders are praising a driver who stopped to help right after the collision happened," Robillard said.
The man stopped shortly after the crash occured and was able to cut seatbelts off the taxi driver and passenger, he said.
"He was praised for stopping and rendering assistance."
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call Vancouver police at 604-717-3321.
This is the city's 11th fatal collision of 2017.
@JessicaEKerr
