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Narrowly missed crash

Alanna Kelly

UPDATE: 6:30 p.m.

A Kelowna man’s quick thinking saved him from being one of nine vehicles involved in a collision on the Okanagan Connector Sunday.

Swade Scebba swerved his vehicle up to the right side of the highway on a snowbank when he noticed a vehicle stopped in front of him.

Just moment after, four vehicles came crashing beside him.

“They all piled up and hit each other,” he said. “Actually, really close to hitting me.”

Scebba made it home without any injuries or damages to his vehicle.

“One guy had chest pains, he was OK though,” he said. “Air bags went off, bunch of debris on the ground. Eight vehicles total. I was one of the only ones to get away.”

One person was airlifted to Kelowna General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“It just built up more and more,” he said. “It was complete shock.”

He described the conditions on Highway 97C as quite windy and lots of whiteouts.

“Snow is blowing in lots of people's faces and you can't actually see," he said. 


UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.

One person was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a multiple vehicle collision on the Okanagan Connector.

Glenn Braithwaite with the B.C. Ambulance Service said the collision was a chain reaction and nine vehicles were involved.

The section of Highway 97C is now open.


UPDATE: 2:57 p.m.

Witnesses on scene tell Castanet an air ambulance has just landed near Highway 97C after a multiple vehicle collision on Sunday.

At least one person is injured.

It is not clear how many vehicles were involved but unconfirmed reports indicate upwards of nine vehicles.

West Kelowna Fire Department said "WKFR D-shift crews currently at a multi vehicle MVA on Hwy 97C. BCAS helicopter responding for transport."

The next update from Drive BC is expected at 4 p.m.

"Please drive careful on mountain pass highways during these winter conditions," said West Kelowna Fire Department.


UPDATE: 2:40 p.m.

RCMP are on scene of a collision involving multiple vehicles on Highway 97C near Pennask Summit.

Reports indicate one person is injured.

An air ambulance is responding to the scene now.

There are few details at this time and Castanet will update as more information becomes available.


UPDATE: 2:35 p.m.

A section of Highway 97C is closed after a multiple vehicle collision on Sunday afternoon.

A medical helicopter is standing down due to extreme weather and not having anywhere to land.

Environment Canada said gusty winds and flurries were expected for the Okanagan Connector on Sunday.

It is not clear at this time how many vehicles were involved in the incident.


ORIGINAL: 2:25 p.m.

Emergency crews are responding to a multiple vehicle collision on the Okanagan Connector Sunday.

There are few details at this time but the incident occurred just after 2 p.m. near the Pennask Summit.

Highway 97C eastbound is closed 4 kilometres west of the Pennask Summitt.

It is not clear when it will reopen.

Castanet will update as more information becomes available.



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