UPDATE: 2:05 p.m Motorists are reporting being stuck in a miles-long traffic jam for hours south of Vernon after this morning’s crash near the Vernon Cadet Training Center. While the crash happened around 8:30 a.m., the highway remains closed. Traffic is being detoured, but drone footage shows hundreds of vehicles stuck between the incident and where traffic is being diverted. The northbound backup goes well past the landfill level on Birnie Street, and those past the Bailey Road turn have nowhere to go. Photo: Gennady Selivanov UPDATE: 11:20 a.m DriveBC expects the scene of a serious crash that closed Highway 97 from the Vernon Cadet Training Center to reopen to traffic at 4 p.m. Northbound traffic is being diverted via College Way, while southbound traffic is being diverted onto Commonage Road and back onto Bailey Road. Photo: Darren Mitten UPDATE: 9:50 a.m The serious crash near the Vernon Cadet Training Center on Highway 97 appears to involve a black SUV and a white pickup. The SUV is covered in blankets, while the pickup has heavy damage to the driver’s side and is missing a rear wheel. The crash has closed Highway 97 in both directions, with traffic being diverted onto Commonage Road. Police say the area is expected to remain closed for several hours. Photo: Darren Mitten UPDATE: 9:35 a.m A serious crash on Highway 97 near the Vernon Cadet Training Center appears to be fatal. Blankets cover a black SUV involved in the two-vehicle crash, which appears to have been a head-on collision. RCMP are diverting traffic on Hospital Hill, at 16th Avenue. Photo: Google Maps ORIGINAL: 9:10am A serious crash has closed Highway 97 near the Vernon Cadet Training Center. Just before 8:30 a.m., RCMP and emergency personnel responded to the scene of the multi-vehicle crash. The crash has closed the highway to traffic in both directions. The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours as the investigation continues, Vernon RCMP advise. Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use an alternate route. Overrides are being created and updates will be provided as they become available. Castanet has a reporter heading to the stage.
