West Kelowna

A truck belonging to West Coast Amusements crashed on a runaway lane just off Highway 97C Tuesday afternoon in what can be described as a wild roller-coaster ride for the driver.

"We received a complaint of a semi MVA on Hwy 97C," says West Kelowna RCMP Cst. John Brown. "On the way, we received updates that it's a West Coast Amusements truck that's gone off onto the runaway lane."

Photo: Grant Scott

A semi carrying a roller coaster for West Coast Amusements 

flipped over after exiting Hwy 97C onto a runaway lane near

Brenda Mine.

The semi, carrying a roller coaster, was heading eastbound on the Connector just past Brenda Mine when it began experiencing difficulty.

"The driver indicated he's had some issues with his brakes," says Brown.

The truck drove off the highway, headed up the very steep exit lane and then rolled back down, before flipping over on its side.

The driver was shaken up but otherwise uninjured.

Brown added that driver inexperience could be a factor in the crash and that there were no signs the driver was impaired.

"We have called the commercial vehicle inspectors to come up and look at the truck as well, just to verify everything."

Once their inspection is done, Brown says they will be able to begin the recovery process.

The highway was bare and dry at the time of the accident, but motorists were experiencing strong crosswinds.