Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Corey Fischer

Jaws of Life Used to Rescue Crash Victims

Dec 22, 2017 | 11:24 AM

The icy conditions on North Okanagan highways Thursday led to a number of accidents — but one of the most serious was in Spallumcheen.

A pickup truck slid off the highway north of Eagle Rock Road around 4:30 pm.

It went over a 20 foot embankment and landed upside down, caving the roof in.

Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Chief Ian Cummings says the Jaws of Life were used to remove the two occupants.

“It was actually quite a difficult extrication. We could only get to one side of the vehicle, we had the snow, and it was in a bit of a ditch. Both patients were in a pretty precarious position. They were trapped in there pretty good, so it took about an hour to get them out,” Cummings tells Beach Radio News.

Election 2026
Lawyer and community leader to run for Vernon City Council
47m ago
Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again
13h ago
Commonage Crash
Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon
16h ago

The two men were taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

The fire chief says the road conditions at the time were bad.

“They were treacherous.When it gets like that, it’s just best to stay home. I think we’ve had six calls over the last 24 hours,” adds Cummings.

The fire chief says his crew did a great job, and had excellent cooperation from RCMP and the BC Ambulance Service.

by Corey Fischer

Other Matters

Election 2026
Lawyer and community leader to run for Vernon City Council
A lawyer and long time community leader will throw his hat in the ring for a seat on Vernon City Council.Dustin Griffin announced his candidacy, saying he wants council to be more open to shaping the city's work around the community's feedback."Of course, I will bring my professional skills and training to the job...
47m ago
Read More
Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again
Once again, people looking to cool off from the summer heat face a delay in accessing a local amenity.The District of Coldstream said the Lavington Outdoor Pool opening had to be pushed back again.The pool was expected to open June 27, but mechanical issues were uncovered that forced its opening to first be pushed back...
13h ago
Read More
Commonage Crash
Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon
A motorcycle rider was taken hospital after a crash on Commonage Road south of Vernon.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said officers were called out to the scene near the intersection of Bailey Road around 7:50 a.m. Thursday for reports of a crash.Investigators found that a passenger vehicle had slowed to pull over to the si...
16h ago
Read More
Don't Move a Mussel
New boat launch signage installed to prevent invasive mussel spread
The Okanagan Basin Water Board has taken a new approach to try to prevent invasive mussels from entering the local waterways.As part of the 'Don't Move a Mussel' campaign, first-of-its kind boat launch stencils with messaging urging boaters to clean, drain and dry their vessels have been painted at select spots in West...
16h ago
Read More
Two Deaths in May
Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down
Two people lost their lives to illicit substances in Greater Vernon in May.The preliminary figures from the B.C. Coroners Service indicated there had just been six fatal overdoses in the North Okanagan community in 2026. Those included the two in May, one in March, and three in January.In Kelowna, there were three drug...
18h ago
Read More
Whistleblower
West Kelowna launches confidential whistleblower reporting service
The City of West Kelowna has launched a confidential third-party whistleblower service for employees, volunteers, contractors and consultants to report suspected wrongdoing involving the municipality.The service is operated by independent investigators with Southern Law LLP and is designed to provide a confidential pro...
18h ago
Read More
Sudden Death
Kelowna RCMP: Death near Mill Creek not suspicious
A death reported near Mill Creek is not considered suspicious according to Kelowna RCMP and is not believed to be related to a drowning.Police responded Wednesday afternoon to the 2600 block of Enterprise Way following a report of a sudden death.RCMP said investigators have determined there is no indication of criminal...
19h ago
Read More
Severe Dry Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for third week
The Okanagan has again been ranked at Drought Level 4.The ranking, which was given for the third week in a row July 9, is the second-highest drought rating and indicates severe conditions.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the streams in the region had high water temperatures and declining flows. The agency specifical...
20h ago
Read More
Wildfire, Extreme Heat Preparedness
Special workshop to prepare older adults for emergency situations
A special workshop will be held to ensure people are prepared for emergency situations that arise with another hot, dry summer on the horizon.NexusBC Community Centre in Vernon will host its Emergency Preparedness Workshop for Older Adults July 22.The workshop will teach people how to prepare for emergencies that are c...
Jul 09, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Election 2026
Lawyer and community leader to run for Vernon City Council
47m ago
Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again
13h ago
Commonage Crash
Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon
16h ago
Two Deaths in May
Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down
18h ago
Severe Dry Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for third week
20h ago