Highway 97 now open

Photo: Contributed

UPDATE 9:32 p.m.

According to DriveBC, Highway 97 is now open following a serious accident.

UPDATE 9:12 p.m.

DriveBC has revised its estimated time Highway 97 will open to 9:30 p.m.

There is no detour and the highway has been closed for several hours.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m.

DriveBC is estimating Highway 97 north of Penticton will be closed until 10 p.m. while RCMP investigate the crash.

UPDATE 5:50 p.m.

Witnesses tell Castanet the accident was a head-on collision between a motorcycle and a white SUV.

UPDATE 5:38 p.m.

Traffic remains at a standstill as emergency crews tend to an accident on Highway 97 near Penticton.

A vehicle has gone into the lake 200 yards south of Kickininee Provincal Park.

One motorist was told the highway will be closed for up to five hours which indicates a serious accident has occurred.

Witnesses said vehicles are turning around rather than wait for the highway to re-open.

UPDATE 5:22 p.m.

According to DriveBC, the highway is closed in both directions. There is no word on when the highway will reopen.

ORIGINAL STORY

Reports indicate a motorcycle is on fire and a car is in the lake just north of Penticton on Highway 97. 

Multiple emergency response vehicles are on scene and traffic is backed up. 

Photo: Colin Dacre