Update: 2:30 p.m.
A Penticton man was taken to hospital following a two-vehicle accident north of Summerland on Tuesday
Police and firefighters responded around 9 a.m. to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 97 near Matsu Drive, north of Summerland.
Police said the driver of a compact car, travelling north, passed a vehicle in the slow lane and veered into the oncoming lane.
The driver of a semi trailer unit, travelling north, moved to the right, but the car struck the rear corner of the trailer.
Debris was scattered across the four lanes of the highway.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate the driver, a 34-year-old Penticton man.
The man was transported to hospital in Kelowna.
Police say his status is unknown, but it is not believed the injuries were life-threatening.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured.
Sgt. Stephane Lacroix of the Summerland RCMP detachment said the car was travelling at 80 to 85 kilometres an hour at the time of the accident.
“Speed was not a factor. Road conditions were not a factor,” Lacroix said.
The road was closed in both directions for more than two hours as police examined the scene.
One police officer from Summerland, one from Penticton and two from South Okanagan Traffic Services were at the scene.
Seven Summerland firefighters also attended.
“It was a difficult extrication because of the amount of damage to the car,” said Summerland Fire Chief Glenn Noble.
The name of the driver has not been released.
Police are continuing their investigation into the accident.
Update: 12 p.m.
Traffic is again moving on Highway 97 north of Summerland, although it’s still backed up as some lanes remain closed.
Posted 11:30 a.m.
Highway 97 is closed north of Summerland due to a motor-vehicle accident.
The road may reopen between noon and 2 p.m., according to the most recent information posted on the Drive B.C. website.
The closure began around 9 a.m. after a small car reportedly collided with a tractor-trailer near the Sumac Ridge winery at Matsu Drive.
Drive B.C. suggests people detour through Princeton, which would add three hours to travel times.
