Update, 4:04 p.m.
West Kelowna RCMP has confirmed the driver, and sole occupant of the vehicle which drove into Okanagan Lake this morning, was uninjured.
Police also confirmed the driver has been issued a ticket for failure to remain at the scene of a collision, as they left before authorities arrived.
According to RCMP, the cause of the collision is still under investigation.
Original:
An early morning emergency call had Peachland fire crews scratching their heads.
At around 5:30 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 9) morning, Peachland Fire Department crews responded to a report of a vehicle that may have driven into Okanagan Lake, and was sinking.
The approximate location of the incident was the 6500 block of Highway 97, on a straight stretch of the road between Renfrew Road and Hardy St.
Approx. location of the incident. (Google Maps)
Several engines were dispatched and arrived on scene to find a vehicle that was submerged in the water, upright, about 15 feet from shore. Two off-duty paramedics who arrived on scene shortly before fire crews didn’t hesitate in searching the vehicle. They found no one inside.
Fire crews eventually discovered a lone occupant had left the scene prior to them arriving.
“We heard later on that a passerby had picked up the occupant of the vehicle and had given him a ride away from the scene,” said Peachland Fire Chief Dennis Craig.
Authorities are unsure what caused the crash. According to Craig, road conditions were not slippery.
“It was a straight stretch of road, it wasn’t in the S-Turns or anything so not sure what caused him to leave the roadway.”
Although a little less exciting, Peachland fire crews will spend the rest of Saturday participating in their annual Christmas tree chipping event.
This year, the event is contactless. Residents have booked appointments and left their trees at the end of the driveways for pickup. Donations are being made via e-transfer.
“Today is our last day, I think we have 18 trees to pick up today, and all the funds go towards Muscular Dystrophy (Canada),” Craig said.
To learn more visit Peachland Fire Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
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