A multi-vehicle crash closed a stretch of the Coquihalla Highway between Merritt and Kamloops on Sunday afternoon, leaving some drivers stranded for hours in difficult weather conditions.

DriveBC reported the incident at about 1:30 p.m., saying multiple vehicles were involved around five kilometres south of Helmer Road along Highway 5.

The road remains closed in both directions for roughly 37 kilometres.

Travellers have been advised to detour using Highway 97C and Highway 97D. DriveBC says Highway 5A also remains open to passenger vehicles with a 70 per cent load restriction for commercial vehicles.

Amanda Horner, who was travelling northbound between Merritt and Kamloops with her husband and young children, said her family was stuck in traffic for more than three hours.

“We have hit all kinds of weather,” Horner said. “[It’s] snowing hard and roads were slick and deep.” 

She said conditions changed quickly along the route, with drivers encountering rain, slush and ice farther north.

Horner said northbound traffic eventually began moving after truck drivers pulled their vehicles aside to allow smaller vehicles through.

Earlier Sunday morning, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement for parts of B.C., including the Coquihalla Highway between Merritt and Kamloops.

The agency warned strong southwesterly winds and changing winter conditions could affect travel along the highway.

CBC News has reached out to RCMP, and the B.C. Emergency Health Services for more information about the crash.