Fatal Saltspring Island crash blamed on wet, winding road

Police on Saltspring Island believe wet road conditions on a narrow, winding highway may have contributed to an accident that left a three-year-old child dead and her mother and five-year-old sister in hospital.

RCMP Staff Sgt. George Jenkins said the 36-year-old mother may have lost control of her Volkswagen Jetta, which spun backwards into the path of an oncoming GMC Savana van around 2:30 p.m. on Fulford-Ganges Road.

The three-year-old girl, who was sitting in the back seat with her sister, died of her injuries last night at B.C. Children's Hospital. The child's identity has not been released.

The child's mother and five-year-old sister remain in a Victoria hospital with serious injuries, said police. The driver of the van was not injured in the crash.

Jenkins said the accident has deeply affected the small island community.

"The scene was pretty chaotic and one of the responders, he knew the family and then the first civilian on scene, she was friends with the driver and I think what we need to focus on right now, is supporting the family."

Jenkins says speeding, alcohol, drugs or distracted driving were not factors in the accident.