UPDATE: Highway 97 crash involved a broadside collision

Sep 17, 2025 | 11:14 AM

UPDATE: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18

The collision that closed Highway 97 between Vernon and Falkland Wednesday morning involved a vehicle being struck when turning onto the highway.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said the collision occurred around 9 a.m., Sept. 17, when a Hyundai Accent turned onto the highway from a residence and was broadsided by a southbound Toyota Rav4.

The collision resulted in one person in critical condition taken to hospital via helicopter, while two others were stable and taken by ambulance for treatment.

Both vehicles were significantly damaged in the crash, and the highway had to be closed between Irish Creek Road and Grandview Flats Road North for about two hours to accommodate the treatment and transportation of the patients, and the clearing of the scene.

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UPDATE 5 p.m.

A collision on Highway 97 north of Vernon sent three people to hospital.

Emergency Health Services said paramedics responded to reports of a crash on the highway between Irish Creek Road and Grandview Flats Road North shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.

“Three ambulances with primary care paramedics, one paramedic practice educator, a BCEHS area manager and an air ambulance helicopter responded to the scene,” Paramedic Public Information Officer, Brian Twaites, told Vernon Matters in an email.

“Paramedics provided emergency medical care to three patients. Two were transported to hospital by ground in stable condition and one was transported to hospital by air ambulance in stable condition.”

The RCMP had not responded to a request for comment on the cause of the collision as of time of publication.

The crash caused the road to be closed from approximately 9 a.m. to just past noon Wednesday.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.

The highway north of Vernon has reopened.

DriveBC no longer has the crash on Highway 97 north of West Side Road between Vernon and Falkland listed on its website.

RCMP have not responded to a request from Vernon Matters for information about the incident.

— Original Story —

Highway 97 between Vernon and Falkland was closed Wednesday morning following a crash.

DriveBC says the crash occurred around 10 a.m. between Irish Creek Road and Grandview Flats Road North, just north of West Side Road.

The latest report stated the crash was being assessed, and there was no word on when the scene would be cleared and the highway reopened.