UPDATE: Highway crash injures two, highway reopened

UPDATE 1 p.m.

Drive BC says the vehicle incident has been cleared in the southbound side of Highway 97 at Airport Way, north of Kelowna.

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UPDATE: 12 p.m.

Drive BC says Highway 97 is still closed to southbound traffic at the Kelowna Airport turnoff (Airport Way) with a detour in effect.

Drive BC’s next update is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Click here for updates.

(Image credit: Drive BC)

Orginal story

Two people suffered serious injuries in a single vehicle accident on Highway 97 north of Kelowna Wednesday night (May 31).

At last report, Drive BC said the highway was closed to southbound traffic at the turnoff to the Kelowna Airport with a detour in effect.

A RCMP officer on routine patrol saw a black Mercedes traveling well under the posted speed limit and unable to maintain lanes south on Highway 97 near Ellison Lake. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, which then fled at a dangerously high rate of speed. For officer and public safety, no pursuit was initiated and the officer pulled over.

After losing sight of the car, the officer continued and at 11:50 p.m., came across a large dust cloud at the John Hindle Dr. off-ramp, which merges with Highway 97. The officer observed debris on the roadway and immediately realized that the car had departed the roadway.

The Mountie located the same Mercedes over the embankment in a ditch, a significant distance from the highway. The officer then located an ejected passenger who had significant injuries and the driver who was trapped and required assistance to exit the heavily damaged vehicle.

Both the driver and the passenger were transported to hospital in serious but stable condition.

As of 9:40 a.m., Drive BC said Highway 97 was closed southbound at Airport Way (Kelowna Airport)  with a detour in effect.

RCMP say the closure is needed  for their investigation.

“This collision is a prime example of the dangers of excessive speeding on British Columbia roadways. These two individuals are extremely lucky to have survived and have a long, difficult recovery ahead,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera, media relations officer, said.