Two people died in a serious motor vehicle accident south of Vernon Sunday.
Just before 1:45 p.m., a pickup truck collided with a car on Highway 97, just north of Bailey Road.
“Two people have died as a result of this crash. Also two people have been injured, one very seriously and was flown to Kelowna hospital by air ambulance,” said Gord Molendyk, RCMP spokesperson.
“The second victim was driven by ambulance to Kelowna hospital. A small fire started in one of the vehicles but was extinguished very quickly by one of the police officers at the crash site.”
Traffic was shut down in both directions and traffic was being rerouted along secondary routes.
At about 6 p.m., single-land traffic was allowed to move northward, including a long line of semis which was sitting on the side of the highway.
Southbound traffic was backed up from the accident scene to Westbridge Road, near the Welcome to Greater Vernon sign.
“As our investigators are in the very early stages of this investigation, there is not information being released on the gender, age or where the victims of this crash are from,” said Molendyk.
“The investigating officers are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash and have not spoken to the police to contact them at 250 545-7171.”
A further update on this crash is expected Monday.
