Updated: Malahat reopend after serious crash sends two people to hospital

A head-on crash on the Malahat near Split Rock Lookout on Tuesday afternoon sent two people to hospital; both are expected to survive.

The accident happened south of Bamberton just before noon.

The highway was closed for about 4 hours, and traffic was diverted through Shawinigan Lake.

The Times Colonist is reporting the black van was heading south when it crossed over into the northbound lane, colliding with a five-tonne truck from National Car and Truck Rental.

The driver-side of the van was crushed by the impact, and the Jaws of Life were used to extract the lone occupant from the vehicle.

The collision also caused the five-tonne truck to slam into the rockface.