Photo: Graham Whyte

A reported head-on collision closed Highway 97 for some hours.

UPDATE: 12:20 p.m.

Both drivers suffered serious injuries in a head-on crash on Highway 97, near Monte Lake, early Monday, police reported. One man was from the Vernon area.

North Okanagan RCMP were called to the crash at 6:37 a.m. BC Ambulance and local fire department crews also attended to assist. 

Highway 97 was closed to traffic while emergency officials dealt with the aftermath of the collision.

Both male drivers were taken to hospital, including one who was transported by helicopter. 

"The scene examination revealed that a westbound grey 2006 Honda Civic driven by a 24-year-old Vernon area man crossed into the opposing lane and collided with an eastbound white 2002 Ford Escape driven by a 58-year-old Barriere man," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, RCMP spokesperson. "Both male drivers and sole occupants, received serious injuries and were transported to hospital, with one driver having to be airlifted from the scene."

RCMP investigators continue to investigate in order to fully determine the cause of the collision, Moskaluk said.

UPDATE: 10:15 a.m.

Highway 97 has fully reopened, and the crash scene has been cleared, DriveBC reports.

UPDATE: 8:50 a.m.

DriveBC advises the highway has reopened to single-lane, alternating traffic.

The crash is reported to be head-on collision at a railway crossing. 

ORIGINAL: 7:55 a.m.

DriveBC reports that Highway 97 is closed in both directions two kilometres south of Monte Lake because of a vehicle incident. An assessment is in progress.

No detour is available at this time, according to the website.

The next update will be at 8:30 a.m.