The RCMP responded to a fatal collision Friday afternoon about 30 kilometres south of Dease Lake, (which is roughly 969 kilometres northwest of Prince George).
Police say the call came it at around 12:15 from a local road maintenance worker reporting that a car was found down an embankment with a deceased man nearby.
Emergency Health Services also attended, and declared the man deceased.
The man has been identified as 93-year-old hockey icon Ernie “Punch” McLean.
Mclean coached the New Westminster Bruins of the WHL to four consecutive championships from 1975 to 1978 and added two Memorial Cup titles in 1977 and 1978.
The Western Hockey League is mourning the passing of Ernie ‘Punch’ McLean, five-time WHL Champion and longtime coach of the New Westminster Bruins.
McLean passed away Friday at the age of 93.
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— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) May 9, 2026
Early investigation indicates he swerved and went off road, appearing to have been ejected from the vehicle.
The area of Highway 37N reopened in both directions.
The cause of the incident is unknown, and police are asking anyone that may have witnessed the collision to come forward.
With files from Hartley Miller
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