Hwy 97 reopened

Highway 97 has reopened south of Vernon following an early morning crash. 

Crews had been working since 9:30 a.m. on clearing a jack-knifed semi-truck off the southbound lane of the Highway near Kekuli Bay Road.

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UPDATED: 1:32 p.m.

Drive BC has stated that Highway 97 could reopen as early as 3 p.m. 

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UPDATED: 1:24 p.m.

The RCMP have released more information on the semi-truck crash that closed Highway 97 south of Vernon near Kekuli Bay Road.

Police say a driver and a passenger were taken to hospital with minor injuries.   

“The cause of the collision is still under investigation at this time and the road remains closed in both directions,” says Const. Kelly Brett with the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP.

“Motorists on the road are fortunate that this incident was a minor one, although causing long traffic delays.  The outcome could have been a lot more severe.”

The semi-truck driver and passenger are both from the Lower Mainland.

Highway crews are working to clear Highway 97.

Drive BC has not provided an estimated time of reopening. 

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UPDATED: 1:02 p.m.

Highway 97 remains closed following an earlier accident. 

Just before 9 a.m. a semi-truck jack-knifed south of Vernon, closing the highway in both directions.

There has been no word on injuries or on what caused the semi to crash into the ditch.

Detours are still being advised by way of Kalamalka Lakeview Drive headed north, and Commonage Road headed south. 

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UPDATE: 10:36 a.m.

Traffic seems to be moving well on both Kalamalka Lakeview Drive and Commonage Road, however, the conditions in some spots are described as icy. 

Highway 97 remains closed south of Vernon with no estimated time for its reopening.

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UPDATE: 10:10 a.m.

Highway 97 south of Vernon remains closed as crews work to remove a jack-knifed semi-truck.

Drivers headed north are using Kalamalka Lakeview Drive, albeit very slowly due to conditions and volume.  

Drivers headed south are being detoured along Commonage Road to Bailey Road.

Drive BC has not provided an estimated time for reopening. 

No word on what caused the semi to jack-knife.

The road conditions have been described as "wet, but no icy or slick," by a Castanet reader who was near the crash. 

Traffic control is on scene.

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UPDATE: 9:52 a.m.

A spun-out semi in the southbound lane of Highway 97 south of Vernon has the road in both directions closed.

Highway crews are on scene trying to clear the crash. 

There is no estimated time of reopening at this point.

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UPDATE: 9:37 a.m.

Traffic is moving along Kalamalka Lakeview Drive, but conditions are being described as treacherous.

Highway crews have been called to try and clear some of the snow and spread salt and sand. 

Highway 97 remains closed south of Vernon. Drivers are being asked to use Commonage Road as a detour. 

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UPDATE: 9:30 a.m.

A spun-out semi has crashed through the centre divider on Highway 97 south of Vernon. 

The Highway is closed in both directions.

Highway crews are on scene to clear the rubble. The RCMP have been called for traffic control assistance. 

There has been no word on possible injuries or a cause for the crash. 

Divers are being asked to use Commonage Road to Bailey Road as a detour. 

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UPDATE: 9:26 a.m.

A severe crash on Highway 97 southbound has the road blocked outside of Vernon.

Traffic is stuck. Drivers are being urged to avoid the area or use Commonage Road as a detour. 

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UPDATE: 9:16 a.m.

RCMP have been called in to provide traffic control south of Vernon on Highway 97 after a semi-truck jack-knifed.

The highway is closed in both directions. At this point, no word on a cause or if there are injuries.

Castanet will provide more details as they become available.

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ORIGINAL: 9:11 a.m.

Traffic is going to be slow heading in and out of Vernon on Highway 97 next to Westridge Road. 

A semi-truck has jack-knifed. 

RCMP have been called to the scene.