Highway 5 moving again

Photo: Sandei Marshall

A semi truck blocked the southbound lanes of Highway 5, south of Kamloops, Wednesday night.

UPDATE: 10:15 p.m.

One lane of southbound traffic has been opened up on Highway 5, just south of Kamloops, after a crashed semi truck blocked the highway earlier Wednesday evening. 

Traffic was stalled on the highway, near the turnoff to Inks Lake, for about 90 minutes. 

UPDATE: 7:50 p.m.

The southbound lanes of Highway 5 between Merritt and Kamloops are closed Wednesday night after a semi truck flipped onto its side, blocking the highway.

The crash occurred near the turnoff for Inks Lake.

Police say they don't know when the highway will reopen.

“Travel is not being advised due to poor road conditions,” said Staff Sgt. J.R. Wessel.

The crash is one of many throughout the Interior Wednesday, as heavy snow blanketed the mountain passes in the region. 

UPDATE: 5:15 p.m.

Another vehicle has ended up on its side this afternoon, this time on the Okanagan Connector.

The crash occurred at about 3:15 p.m., near the Okanagan Connector Visitor Centre. 

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

UPDATE: 4:45 p.m.

Yet another crash has been reported on Highway 33, the latest near Falconridge Crescent, three kilometres east of the hairpin corner. 

The crash reportedly involved five vehicles, but no one is believed to be trapped in any of the cars.

The highway is reportedly very slippery, as snow continues to fall.

UPDATE: 4:15 p.m.

After waiting in standstill traffic for 45 minutes, drivers heading east along Highway 33 have finally been allowed past one of the crashes on Highway 33, just west of Goudie Road. 

The single-vehicle crash is one of several along the highway, with another reportedly four kilometres east of Goudie Road. 

UPDATE: 3:35 p.m.

Police have issued a driver advisory in the wake of numerous crashes across the Central Okanagan.

Motorists are urged to slow down, adjust speed to changing road and weather conditions, increase following distance, and give plenty of time to get to their destination or delay travel until conditions improve.

"Our crews have responded to crash after crash along Highway 33 east of Kelowna," says RCMP Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey. "Officers responding to these crashes describe the conditions in the area as extremely icy, which has seriously affected drivers ability to stop and steer."

Emergency crews are on scene at multiple collisions, which has forced the temporary closure of the highway to allow crews to safely extract occupants from their vehicles, investigate and clear the scenes.

"RCMP in Lake Country are also reporting multiple collisions ... which they believe are directly related to deteriorating roadway conditions," O'Donaghey added.

ORIGINAL: 3:10 p.m.

A multi-vehicle pileup is reported on Highway 33, east of Kelowna.

As many as eight vehicles may be involved in the crash, which is said to be about four kilometres past the hairpin, towards Big White.

Conditions are reported to be slippery with compact snow, according to DriveBC.

One vehicle is reportedly on fire, with possible entrapment of the driver.