Forget checking out the scene where truck packed with coins crashed

KAMLOOPS, B.C. - Forget checking out the crash site where a truck packed with coins crashed.

That's the word from RCMP Staff Sgt. Dale Einarson after a vehicle containing mostly quarters crashed Thursday night on Highway 1, just west of Kamloops, B.C.

Einarson said the coins were being transported to Vancouver from the Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg when it tumbled down a nine-metre embankment.

"We certainly don't want people going out there to observe the scene," Einarson said.

The driver and passenger in the truck were not injured

Christine Acquino, spokeswoman for the Mint, cited security reasons for not disclosing the value of the spilled load.

She said the quarters feature snowboarding designs that are part of the Olympic collection that will be released Feb. 20.

"The design has been launched for over a year now so there's no secret on the design," Acquino said.

RCMP Const. Randi Love said a Mountie is guarding the winding section of the Trans-Canada Highway, "just due to the fact that there's money involved."