A grandmother and her two granddaughters injured in a horrific crash on West Coast Road at Gordon's Beach are recovering.
The head-on collision happened on Friday night about 7:10 p.m. in the 8700 block of West Coast Road.
Corp. Barb Cottingham, of the Sooke RCMP, said a eastbound Jeep Grand Cherokee crossed the centre line and collided head on with a pickup truck traveling north.
The 62-year-old grandmother is a Shirley resident as is her 65-year-old husband, who was driving. The granddaughters are aged six and 10.
The driver of the jeep, is believed to be a Colwood resident and he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
Bystanders tended to three of the victims until emergency personnel arrived on the scene. Cottingham reported that all victims were conscious when they were removed from the vehicles.
Emergency crews had to use the Jaws of Life to rescue the grandmother and one of the girls, who were taken to Victoria General Hospital by helicopter. The rescue was difficult as the truck was down a steep embankment, The two drivers and the six-year-old girl were taken to hospital by ambulance. Both the grandmother and the 10-year-old are reported to be in intensive care, with the grandmother in critical condition. The drivers, who sustained minor injuries, have been released from hospital.
The investigation into the accident is continuing.
The road was closed for six hours and many of those waiting on the highway were aided by residents at Gordon's Beach.