Last update 6:00 a.m .:
Highway 97 reopened in West Kelowna after a collision with multiple vehicles on Monday evening.
OPEN – # BCHwy97 – Vehicle accident Boucherie Rd. (1 km north of #WestKelowna) is clear. Please drive carefully. #Kelowna https://t.co/u6ik4cxp6l
– Drive BC (@DriveBC) September 24, 2019
Yesterday 7 p.m .:
According to police, the accident happened around 6:20 p.m. between four vehicles on Highway 97 near Boucherie Road.
UPDATE – # BCHwy97 – NORTHBOUND CLOSED on Boucherie Rd. (1km north of #WestKelowna). Evaluation ongoing, detour SB via Boucherie Rd to Skeena Rd and NB Westside Rd from the ramp to Skeena Rd. Next update time at 12:00. Expect greater delays. Details: https://t.co/u6ik4cxp6l
– Drive BC (@DriveBC) September 24, 2019
A male driver was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital with serious injuries.
The RCMP said the highway will remain closed in both directions from the William R Bennett Bridge to Boucherie Road.
“The investigation into the collision is at an early stage,” said RCMP Cst. Lesley Smith.
“RCMP encourages anyone who witnessed the collision or has a dash cam video to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at (250) 768-2880.”
She said traffic along the freeway will be impacted if officers continue their investigation. She did not give a time for the reopening.
Southeast District Traffic Services and a collision reconstructor were called in on site.
DriveBC estimates that the motorway won’t open again until tomorrow. There was no estimated time for the reopening.
To avoid the accident, a detour was set up along Westside Road.
READ MORE: Kelowna man convicted at the time served for high speed car chase
Paul Clarke
Assistant Bureau Director, BC Interior South Division
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Emergency services closed Highway 97 in both directions after a collision with several vehicles on Monday evening. (Dave Ogilvie)
