The highway can be reopened at 4
Photo: Darren Mitten
UPDATE: 11:20 a.m
DriveBC expects the scene of a serious collision that has closed Highway 97 by the Vernon Cadet Training Center should reopen to traffic by 4 p.m.
Northbound traffic is being diverted along College Way, while southbound traffic is being diverted onto Commonage Road and back onto Bailey Road.
UPDATE: 9:50 a.m
The serious collision near the Vernon Cadet Training Center on Highway 97 appears to have involved a black SUV and a white pickup truck.
The SUV is covered in blankets, while the pickup truck has heavy damage on the driver’s side and is missing a rear wheel.
The crash has closed Highway 97 in both directions, and traffic has been diverted onto Commonage Road.
Police say the area is expected to be closed for several hours.
Photo: Darren Mitten
UPDATE: 9:35 a.m
A serious collision on Highway 97 near the Vernon Cadet Training Center appears to be fatal.
Blankets cover a black SUV that was involved in the two-vehicle collision, which appears to have been a head-on collision.
RCMP are diverting traffic on Hospital Hill at 16th Avenue.
Photo: Google Maps
ORIGINAL: 9:10 a.m
A serious collision has closed Highway 97 near the Vernon Cadet Training Center.
Just before 8:30 a.m., RCMP and emergency personnel responded to the scene of the multi-vehicle collision.
The accident has the road closed to traffic in both directions.
The closure is expected to continue for several hours as the investigation continues, Vernon RCMP reported.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area and use an alternate route.
Diversions are being set up and updates will be provided as they become available.
Castanet has a reporter heading to the scene.