Serious crash, delays

UPDATE: 6:25 p.m.

West Kelowna RCMP and RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services (COTS) remain on scene as they continue their investigation.  

The collision, involving a southbound Nissan Titan and a northbound Dodge Durango forced the closure of Highway 97 in both directions to allow emergency crews to extricate a patient who had been trapped inside the Dodge.

The driver of the Dodge Durango, a 57-year-old woman from the Central Okanagan, has been transported to hospital, with what are believed to be serious non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Nissan Titan is also in hospital with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

“Traffic in the area is once again flowing, however it is being restricted to one lane alternating traffic at this time,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

“Motorists may see another temporary closure or closures to allow for both the vehicles, which sustained significant damage to be safely removed from the roadway. Our emergency crews greatly appreciate the publics patience as we work to clear the scene,” he added.  

Witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to call the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.

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UPDATE: 3:25 p.m.

The driver of the Dodge Durango involved in Wednesday afternoon's head-on collision, a 57-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital with what were considered “serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.”

A man, driving the southbound Nissan Titan that police believe crossed the centre line, was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

“Traffic in the area is once again flowing, however it is being restricted to one lane alternating traffic at this time,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Motorists may see another temporary closure or closures to allow for both the vehicles, which sustained significant damage, to be safely removed from the roadway.”

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the crash to call the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.

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UPDATE: 3:10 p.m.

Traffic is moving once again on Drought Hill after a serious head-on collision closed Highway 97 in both directions. 

The highway is now open to single-lane alternating traffic, as tow trucks work to remove the two vehicles involved from the scene. 

At least one person involved in the crash, a woman in the Dodge Durango, suffered "serious injuries."

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UPDATE: 2:55 p.m.

Paramedics are treating patients for injuries after a southbound Nissan Titan crossed the centre line and collided head on with a Dodge Durango.

A woman in the Durango is being treated for "serious injuries" at the scene, after emergency crews removed her from the SUV. Police say she will be taken to the hospital. 

The condition of the person in the Titan is unknown. 

Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP says he doesn't believe anyone has died in the serious collision. 

Highway 97 remains closed in both directions, but Cpl. O'Donaghey says they are hoping to open one lane of alternating traffic shortly. 

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ORIGINAL: 2:30 p.m.

Traffic is backed up on Drought Hill near Peachland Wednesday afternoon, after a two-vehicle crash closed Highway 97 in both directions. 

The crash, which occurred at about 2 p.m. south of the highway's junction with Highway 97C, appeared to be a head-on collision between a pickup truck and an SUV.

A tarp is covering the driver's seat of the SUV.

One man who's been waiting in the southbound lane for about 15 minutes says the crash looks "pretty severe," and there are four police cars and two ambulances at the scene. 

He says Highway 97 in that area is quite dry and not covered in ice or snow. 

The extent of any injuries suffered by those involved is unknown at this time.