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UPDATE: Accident temporarily closed Hwy 97A north of Vernon

Traffic was reduced to single lane in each direction
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Emergency crews work to remove a semi from the embankment on the southbound shoulder of Highway 97A north of Vernon. Drivers experienced minor delays as the highway was reduced to single lane travel in both directions. (Parker Crook/Morning Star)

UPDATE: Sept. 18

Highway 97A was reduced to single-lane traffic in both directions for nearly seven hours after a semi rolled into the embankment between Armstrong and Vernon.

Armstrong Fire Chief Ian Cummings said his crew was called to the scene at 8:32 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17.

“No injuries, but we did have a fair bit of leaking diesel fuel that we were trying to mitigate,” Cummings said.

While fire crews stayed behind to assist cleanup crews and direct traffic, two cranes and multiple tow trucks worked to remove the semi from the ditch approximately eight kilometres north of the junction with Highway 97.

“We stayed around to ensure there was no fire risk,” Cummings said. “We had problems getting to the fuel tank initially given the precarious nature of the vehicle’s position.”

Crews had cleared the scene and reopened the highway at 3:17 p.m.

The cause of the accident is not yet known.

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Original

An accident involving a semi-trailer rollover into the ditch temporarily closed Highway 97A 8 kilometres north of the junction with Highway 97 in Vernon.

Drive BC said lane closures were initially in effect for both directions and drivers should expect minor delays. As of 11:54 a.m., traffic was reduced to a single lane in each direction as crews work to remove the semi from the ditch.

Related: Crashes reach ‘all-time high’ across B.C.: ICBC

A witness on scene said there didn’t appear to be any injuries as a result of the accident.

The cause of the accident is not yet known.


@VernonNews
parker.crook@vernonmorningstar.com

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