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Multiple vehicles crash after oil spill sends fluid down Hwy. 1 near Chilliwack

Crews at the scene of a multiple-vehicle crash on Highway 1 near Chilliwack on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Twitter/@fuzzycanuck

A multi-vehicle crash that tied up traffic for hours on Highway 1 near Chilliwack on Sunday was caused by a fuel spill, RCMP say.

Const. Greg Dykstra told Global News that crews were called to the westbound side of the highway before Yale Road around 11 a.m. for reports of several collisions.

He said a fuel tanker separated from a tractor trailer and spilled oil 1,000 metres down the highway.

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Multiple vehicles ended up sliding across the road due to the oil, causing them to crash and block the westbound lanes.

WATCH (May 12, 2019): Crash creates traffic chaos on Highway 1 near Abbotsford

Click to play video: 'Crash creates traffic chaos on Highway 1 near Abbotsford'
Crash creates traffic chaos on Highway 1 near Abbotsford

At least one vehicle flipped, he confirmed, but only minor injuries were reported.

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Highway 1 was closed westbound between Lickman Road and Vedder Canal for roughly two hours, causing traffic to back up for several kilometres east of the scene.

The road finally reopened around 2 p.m.

The cause of the separation is under investigation.

—With files from Srushti Gangdev

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