Despite heroic efforts to free a woman from her submerged vehicle in Okanagan Lake Monday morning, a 42-year-old Summerland resident has died.
The unidentified victim was the lone occupant in a brown 2004 Honda CRV that was southbound on Highway 97 several kilometres north of Sage Mesa Drive when the incident occurred at about 10 a.m.
According to Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, RCMP District Advisory NCO, the driver lost control of the SUV on the slippery road, flipping end over end before plunging into the lake.
The vehicle came to rest upright in about three metres of water. Several motorists at the scene immediately jumped in to try and help but were unsuccessful in getting her out.
The would-be rescuers were later treated for hypothermia resulting from their time in the frigid water.
According to Deputy Chief Dave Spalding of Penticton Fire Rescue, his members arrived on scene about 18 minutes after receiving the call, having to negotiate the treacherous roads to the scene.
Several firefighters (cold water technicians) wearing drysuits were then quickly into the water, working anxiously to free her.
“Our guys were able to reach under (the water) and pop the window,” said Spalding. “The lady was still in her seat with the seat-belt and they were able to get her out.”
He added she was unconscious at the time.
Once out of the SUV, which was barely visible from above the waterline, the woman was quickly taken to shore, put on a stretcher and into the ambulance where paramedics administered CPR.
According Moskaluk, she was then taken to Penticton Regional Hospital where she was pronounced deceased later in the day.
After getting the person out, technicians who still in the water quickly checked to see if anyone else was in the vehicle.
A tow truck was then brought in and pulled the SUV out. There was considerable damage to roof and other portions of the Honda.
Moskaluk said RCMP South Okanagan Traffic Services which were on scene along with Penticton and Summerland RCMP, are now concluding the investigation, “greatly assisted” by another motorist’s dash camera footage.
He added investigators have since determined the woman was travelling below the posted speed limit when the accident happened.
It was snowing at the time.
The highway between Sage Mesa Drive and Trout Creek was closed in both directions as the vehicle was pulled out and for sometime afterwards due to the hazardous conditions and the ongoing investigation.
This was the second time in less than a month serious accidents have closed that section of highway as a result of dangerous road conditions.
Heavy snow on Dec. 15, 2015 made driving treacherous and three roll-over accidents happened in the area between Summerland and Penticton in a span of less than an hour.
No serious injuries were reported in any of those crashes.
According to spokesperson Kate Trotter of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, due to a variety of factors, including the number and type of road users, this section of Hwy. 97 receives the highest level of service specified in its maintenance contracts.
“Argo (road maintenance contractors) was actively plowing this section of Hwy. 97 during this storm yesterday, which included the application of winter abrasives,” she said. “The RCMP are still investigating the crash yesterday and we will certainly look at any recommendations that come out of their investigation.”
One consideration is the installation of cement barriers similar to those currently in place along the Channel Parkway.
Some barriers have already been put in place on Hwy. 97 just south of Summerland to separate vehicle traffic from pedestrians and cyclists as part of the Trail of the Okanagans pathway project.
Future phases include connecting to Penticton, which could mean a continuation of the barriers, however that has not been confirmed.
In the meantime, officials are advising motorists to drive to road and weather conditions.
