The fatal crash that closed a stretch of Highway 1 for several hours on Thursday has sparked a conversation around transportation for some residents in Greater Victoria.

Just before Thursday’s afternoon rush hour around 2 p.m., a crash involving two vehicles in the northbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway near Helmcken Road resulted in one person seriously injured and one who did not survive.

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“Our preliminary information and findings have indicated the collision was the result of a medical event,” said Saanich Police Department’s Insp. Damian Kowalewich.

“One of the occupants has died and the other received a serious injury, but is expected to make a full recovery,” Kowalewich said.

Immediately, police investigators closed all northbound lanes, effectively cutting off the Trans-Canada Highway – the main route out of the region.

This led to a traffic gridlock that did not let up for hours.

Avery Sukow found herself ensnared in traffic for a simple errand.

“I was actually going to drop my daughter off. Normally, typically a five-minute ride. Which actually turned into a 55-minute drive. Going for four city blocks,” Sukow said.

She was frustrated at the lack of information.

“There was no real communication as to what was happening or routes to take, and we weren’t moving. And everyone was panicking and trying to U-turn,” Sukow said.

Zac de Vries, Saanich councillor, said the gridlocked traffic from the incident highlights the need for alternative transportation planning in the region.

“It really highlights how stuck we are. I do worry in the case of an emergency having a lack of options. And it’s the more reason we need to be building complete networks that really look to empower people to make their own choices,” de Vries said.

Dean Murdock, mayor of Saanich, said it demonstrates the need for the region to work together on transportation issues.

“I know a lot of people who did get stuck, people who reported hours-long wait for what would otherwise be a half hour or 45 minute trip. That’s a significant impact to people’s day,” Murdock said.

He said the creation of a new Capital Regional District transportation service in the near future could lead to better options for alleviating congestion throughout the entire region.

“I think it demonstrates the need for full network planning. That as a region we exist as 13 different municipalities. That up to this point we have been planning for transportation largely in silos. We now have a transportation service that allows us to set regional priorities to come together appropriately planning to get people across the region,” Murdock said.

The Trans-Canada Highway reopened to traffic after 5 p.m.

READ MORE: One dead after crash closed Trans-Canada Highway near Helmcken Road