The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a woman who died after a motor vehicle incident near Merritt on Jan. 8, 2014.

She was Gayle Alverna Ashforth, aged 85, of Calgary, Alberta.

Ms. Ashforth was the front-seat passenger in an SUV which was in collision with a forestry chip truck on the Coquihalla Highway near the Mine Creek exit south of Merritt in the morning of Jan. 8, 2014. Road conditions were noted to be icy at the time. Ms. Ashforth was deceased at the scene of the collision.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP Traffic Services continue to investigate this death.

The family of Ms. Ashforth has been notified of her death. On behalf of family members, the BC Coroners Service asks that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time.

Media Contact:

Barb McLintock
Coroner, Strategic Programs
BC Coroners Service
250 356-9253