Highway 97C now open

Photo: Contributed

UPDATE 1:17 p.m.

Highway 97 C westbound has now re-opened after a serious collision involving a cyclist that happened just after 8 a.m Thursday morning.
Traffic investigators spent the morning examining the scene.

Reports from the scene indicate the cyclist may have been a female in her 40's. Still no word on her condition but RCMP indicate she was in serious condition when she was taken to hospital.
 

UPDATE: 11:40 a.m.

Highway 97C westbound remains closed at the exit off Highway 97 at this hour, following a serious collision involving a cyclist.

UPDATE 9:30 a.m.

The exit to Highway 97C west to Merrit off of Highway 97 remains closed.

Emergency crews are on scene and indicate the injuries to the cyclist are serious.

Westbound lanes of Highway 97 C outside of West Kelowna are closed, and traffic is backing up. Police are also turning drivers away and anticipate the area will be shut down for several hours.

Traffic reconstruction specialists are on scene.

RCMP are advising motorists to monitor DriveBC and use an alternate route.

Police are also asking for any dash-cam footage and eye-witness accounts to assist in their investigation.

UPDATE 9:15 a.m.

Reports from the scene of a collision on Highway 97 at the Okanagan Connector indicate the ambulance has now left the scene.

There is a semi tractor-trailer at the front of the traffic stop and traffic is backing up on the exit to Hwy 97C.

ORIGINAL 8:36 a.m.

Castanet has received several reports of a collision on Highway 97 near the Okanagan Connector.

Initial reports indicate that a cyclist may have been struck and traffic is backing up.

We'll have more information as it becomes available.