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Vernon  

Fatal crash closes Hwy 97

UPDATE: 10:04 p.m.

Traffic is flowing again on Highway 97 north of Vernon, according to residents with a view of the highway. 

Check DriveBC for the latest information on updates and closures. 


UPDATE: 7:25 p.m.

A fatal collision has closed Highway 97 north of Vernon.

One person has died following the three-vehicle collision.

Shortly after 4 p.m. RCMP responded to the crash at Highway 97 and Meadowlark Road.

Police remain on scene, and the investigation is still in the early stages. 

The cause of the collision has not yet been determined, and no further details have been released by police.

As of 7 p.m., Highway 97 remained closed for scene examination and investigation.

Traffic is being diverted via Old Kamloops Road and Pleasant Valley Road. 


UPDATE: 6:37 p.m.

Highway 97 remains closed. The estimated time of reopening is 11 p.m.

Social media is proving to be helpful for drivers heading northbound out of Vernon.

Vernon and Area Community Forum members are providing updates as they experience them.

One user wrote: "Was just at Swan Lake Nursery before heading into town and we turned around as hwy jammed up."

Another posted: "Highway 97 at Meadowlark Road. Southbound lane is now a parking lot. Northbound is still moving."

"PV road is at a standstill right now," was also shared. 

The thread on the forum is growing rapidly as members share their experiences of the situation.

"Looking like from what I can see from my home, it's nearish the scales, northbound traffic is getting through slowly into town southbound now. Lots of sirens and emergency vehicles. Get off the highway and take PV (however more sirens going past toward armstrong and no real traffic going north. Everyone is turning onto Elmwood Road to get to PV" was posted at roughly 5:30 p.m.

"Highway is now empty except for the crash site ... PV is crawling, and Old Kamloops is getting busy."


UPDATE: 6:27 p.m.

Ambulance paramedics, RCMP and fire rescue are on the scene of a serious two-vehicle accident north of Vernon. 

Two people were treated for injuries, however, they declined transportation to the hospital.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Northbound traffic leaving Vernon on Highway 97 is heavily backed up.  

The latest DriveBC update states the highway is closed at Meadowlark Road due to a vehicle incident. A detour is available.

Northbound drivers are being rerouted to Stickle Road to Pleasant Valley Road. Southbound drivers are being rerouted to Elmwood Road to Pleasant Valley Road.


UPDATE: 5:59 P.M.

Highway 97 north of Vernon remains closed.

A detour is available Northbound Stickle Road to Pleasant Valley Road and detour southbound via Elmwood Road to Pleasant Valley Road.

The estimated time of opening is 11 p.m. 


ORIGINAL: 4:48 P.M.

Highway 97 is closed in both directions north of Vernon because of an accident.

There is no word on any injuries associated with the accident, but it believed to involve two vehicles.

Traffic is being rerouted along Pleasant Valley Road and Old Kamloops Road.

Castanet will have more information as soon as it becomes available.



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