UPDATE: William R. Bennett bridge reopened following bomb scare

The Explosive Disposal Unit attended the scene to assess the vehicle and it’s contents, and the West Kelowna RCMP said the bomb squad determined the vehicle was safe to be towed from the bridge.

The vehicle was removed and the bridge reopened to traffic at approximately 2:18 p.m. Monday.

“This investigation remains ongoing and no further details will be provided at this time,” Cpl. Michael Gauthier, Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer, said.

“I’d like to acknowledge and thank all of our partner agencies for coming together and working through this incident. Thank you especially to the public for understanding and remaining patient while this matter was resolved safely.”

— UPDATE: 1:45 p.m. —

The suspect vehicle on the William R. Bennett bridge was reportedly being towed from the scene.

Police have not provided an update on when the highway would reopen.

— UPDATE: 1:30 p.m. —

The Explosive Disposal Unit had reportedly arrived in Kelowna to assess the van blocking the William R. Bennett bridge eastbound lanes.

An estimate for the work by the bomb squad was not known as of time of publication.

— UPDATE: 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27 —

The bridge in and out of Kelowna will remain closed to traffic Monday as a potential explosive threat is investigated.

Kelowna RCMP closed the William R. Bennett bridge after a person in crisis parked a white panel van in the eastbound lanes and started a fire in their vehicle around 3:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27.

The person was safely taken into custody and transported to hospital.

Kelowna Central Okanagan RCMP’s Officer in Charge, Investigator Chris Goebel, said the man in the van had made threatening comments towards police concerning his own well-being before starting the fire, which was quickly extinguished by members of the Kelowna Fire Department who also responded to the call.

The vehicle was not removed and the bridge not reopened Monday morning as there were concerns of a potential explosive device in the vehicle.

“A risk assessment of the vehicle’s contents, coupled with the man’s comments both over the phone and online, resulted in both the Southeast District Emergency Response Team and the B.C. RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit being deployed,” Goebel explained during a press conference at 11:30 a.m.

“The known contents of the van alone present a significant risk to public safety, however, it is unclear if there are additional materials of concern as a search of the vehicle would place emergency personnel at undue risk at the moment.”

The investigation was ongoing and police did not provide any information about the individual involved or the contents of the vehicle.

Goebel said members of the Explosive Disposal Unit were on route and could be arriving in Kelowna within the next few hours, though did not provide an specific timeline for their arrival or an estimate for when the bridge could reopen.

Kelowna Fire Department indicated its Regional Marine Rescue Vehicle was dispatched to support police operations from the water, and was also able to transport some emergency personnel from West Kelowna across the lake, such as RCMP officers, firefighters, paramedics, and Kelowna General Hospital staff including surgeons and nurses.

Interior Health acknowledged that people travel to Kelowna for medical treatment and procedures at the local hospital and asked anyone who would not be able to make an appointment due to the bridge closure contact the hospital and reschedule.

This was the second potential explosive device investigation in Kelowna within the month, the other involving a backpack in the downtown core, but the local RCMP did not state if it was pursuing establishing its own Explosive Disposal Unit to more swiftly investigate incidents in the Okanagan, as Goebel noted the service falls under the purview of the B.C. RCMP.

“Part of my role here is to continuously evaluate risk and to continuously look at mitigation strategies and make sure we are providing the best service that we can,” Goebel said.

“We do make recommendations and, at the end of the day, it’s up to the B.C. RCMP to determine the best appointment of resources.”

— Original Story —

An incident on the bridge into Kelowna forced the lanes to be closed Monday.

Kelowna RCMP responded to an individual in crisis on the William R. Bennett Bridge at approximately 3:45 a.m. Jan. 27.

The person had parked in the eastbound lanes of the bridge and reportedly ignited a small fire in the vehicle before being safely taken into custody by police.

“The bridge is closed in both directions right now while we have the necessary resources, including the lower mainland Explosive Disposal Unit, ensure the vehicle can be removed safely,” Cpl. Michael Gauthier Kelowna RCMP Media Relations Officer, said.

“Once we deem the vehicle is safe, it will be removed and the highway will be reopened. Expect the bridge to be closed for several hours, please make alternate driving arrangements in the meantime.”

Kelowna RCMP stated the bridge was still closed as of 10:30 a.m. and won’t be reopened until the vehicle was deemed safe and could be removed from the highway, though did not have an estimated time for that process.

by Liam Verster

UPDATE: William R. Bennett bridge reopened following bomb scare

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