UPDATE: Highway 97 reopens following jackknifed semi incident

Dec 30, 2022 | 1:17 PM

UPDATE 2:55 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30:

Highway 97 has reopened in both directions following an incident that involved a jackknifed semi truck.

The truck had blocked Highway 97’s northbound lanes just north of the Kelowna Airport near the Ellison Lake pullout.

Mounties closed the highway in both directions around 11 a.m. to investigate and clear the scene.

Kelowna RCMP re-opened the highway just before 3 p.m., though they noted traffic flow may be slow and asked motorists to be patient.

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The RCMP added there are slippery sections on area roads and highways and advised drivers slow down, allow for extra travel time, and give other vehicles plenty of space.

The RCMP has not provided any information on the condition of the semi driver.

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UPDATE 2:40 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30:

DriveBC reports an assessment of the scene is ongoing and the highway could reopen around 4 p.m.

— Original Story —

The RCMP closed Highway 97 just north of the Kelowna Airport due to a vehicle collision.

Mounties report a semi truck jackknifed and completely blocked the northbound lanes near the Ellison Lake pull-out at approximately 11 a.m.

The incident has resulted in the highway being closed in both directions and RCMP officers and emergency vehicles were on the scene re-routing traffic.

Police ask drivers to avoid the area.

There was no estimated reopening time as of time of publication.

by Liam Verster

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