Traffic backup on Highway 97 (file photo/submitted)

By Pete McIntyre

Winter not over

UPDATE: Rash of accidents on snowy, icy roads

Feb 18, 2021 | 5:01 PM

UPDATE 5:55 p.m.

The City of Vernon and Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) are advising the public to avoid travel, if possible, due to poor winter driving conditions.

Roads across Vernon and on area highways are reported to be very slippery and emergency responders have been called to multiple motor vehicle incidents this afternoon (Thursday).

City crews have closed Bench Road (between Okanagan Landing Road and Bench Row Road) following a motor vehicle incident where a truck went over the embankment. All occupants of the vehicle were able to get out safely and were assessed by BC Ambulance Service. No one was taken to hospital.

Bench Road will remain closed for the night.

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“Winter is still here, and here in full force,” said Deputy Fire Chief Dwight Seymour. “If you must travel this evening, please remember to slow down, leave extra space between yourself and other vehicles, and allow additional travel time to reach your destination. Please drive to conditions and if you do come across an emergency scene, slow down and give responders extra room to work.”

The city’s full fleet of snow clearing and sanding equipment has been deployed and is attending all parts of the city on a priority basis.

For more information on the City’s snow clearing priorities and practices, please visit the City’s website.
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5:00 p.m story

Rash of accidents on snowy, icy roads

The fresh snow created tracherous driving conditions in the Vernon area.

First responders were busy Thursday afternoon, dealing with numerous incidents including a truck in a ditch near the Predator Ridge/Bailey Road turnoff on Highway 97 that caused a road closure to remove the vehicle.

Motorists told Vernon Matters there were major backups for southbound traffic.

Vernon Fire Rescue also attended a vehicle with a trailer that went over an embankment in the area of Okanagan Landing and Bench Row roads.

Dispatch reports indicated two people got out of the vehicle and avoided serious injuries.

The road was described as extremely icy, and was blocked off to traffic until a city truck could sand it.

There was also a two vehicle crash at Mt. Fostal and Mt. Ida drives in Vernon with the occupants checked out at the scene.