Central Okanagan

RCMP, tow truck operators and emergency personnel were kept busy during the first significant snow fall of the season in Kelowna.

Photo: Ragnar Haagen - Castanet

Three people were injured when this truck slid down an embankment on Highway 33 about noon Sunday

Cst. Kris Clark says as many as 26 vehicle collisions were reported within the Central Okanagan Sunday.

"Not all of those were reportable - vehicles in the ditch with no damage, that sort of thing," says Clark.

"Still, a high amount for this late in the season."

Clark says motorists need to be reminded to slow down and drive to the conditions.

"Make sure they get their winter tires on and drive appropriately."

He says when there is this large of a spike in collisions, weather and road conditions usually play a large role.

An officer at one crash scene on McCulloch Road in East Kelowna hinted the city could have done a better job clearing the road Sunday.

Clark adds that police will contact the city or Ministry of Transportation in regards to specific intersections or roadways that need attention.

"In a lot of cases you don't know something is bad until you have a collision. The road may look clear, you have a crash and when you are walking on the road you can tell there is quite a bit of black ice," says Clark.