UPDATE Five injured in head-on crash; highway reopens
UPDATE 6:14 p.m.
Highway 97A has reopened.
CLEAR – #BCHwy97A – Incident cleared 1 km south of #EnderbyBC between Canyon Rd and Fortune Rd.
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) January 7, 2021
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UPDATE 3:30 p.m.
Drive BC says Highway 97A remains closed in both directions due to a crash between Canyon Road and Fortune Road, one km south of Enderby.
A detour is in effect via Back Enderby Road.
The next update is expected at 6:00 p.m.
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UPDATE: 12:44 p.m.
Emergency crews have been dealing with a major accident south of Enderby.
Three vehicles were involved in what police called a head-on collision around 9:45 a.m. near Canyon Road.
BC Emergency Health Services dispatched four ground ambulances and two helicopters to the scene.
“Paramedics are currently still on scene but are transporting five patients. Two patients are being airlifted by helicopter to hospital in critical condition. Three additional patients are being transported by ground ambulance – two in serious condition and one in stable condition,” said Shannon Miller, communications officer with BC Emergency Health Services told Vernon Matters at 12: 44 p.m.
Highway 97A remains closed between Canyon and Fortune Roads with a detour on Back Canyon Road.
Click here for updates from Drive BC.
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11:30 a.m. story
Highway 97A has been closed south of Enderby due to a serious crash.
#BCHwy97A – Closed 1 km south of #EnderbyBC between Canyon Rd and Fortune Rd due to a vehicle incident. Assessment currently in progress. Details: https://t.co/1yDyj3xMYS pic.twitter.com/wv9vof50B9
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) January 6, 2021
RCMP issued a news release at 11:30 a.m. (Jan. 6), stating the highway is closed between Stepney Cross Road and Canyon Road with traffic being diverted to Back Enderby Road.
“At approximately 9:45 a.m., front line officers from the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP responded to a report of a head on collision involving three vehicles on Highway 97A south of Enderby. At this time, status of the vehicle occupants is not known; however, BC Ambulance Service has responded to assist,” said Cpl. Tania Finn, media relations officer.
“We are asking the public to avoid the area and to consult DriveBC for when the highway will re-open,” Finn added.
The RCMP remain on scene and continue to investigate the cause of the incident.