UPDATED: Thursday 9:53 a.m.
RCMP are continuing with their investigation of a Peachland crash that sent six people to hospital Wednesday afternoon.
“RCMP can now confirm that a 56-year-old Peachland man, who sadly had been directly in the path of the vehicle and was rushed to hospital in critical condition, remains in hospital at this time,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
“The victim has reportedly undergone emergency surgery overnight and is believed to be in serious however stable condition.”
“The remaining five of the total six individuals transported from the scene to hospital, all of whom are women who range in ages from 65 to 71, received medical treatment for their varying injuries and have since been discharged.”
West Kelowna RCMP general duty investigators, supported by RCMP South East District Traffic Services and the RCMP Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstructionist Services (ICARS) section, continue their investigation in effort to determine the contributing factors of the crash.
UPDATED: 7:50 P.M.
RCMP say six people were transported to hospital with varying degrees of injuries after a BMW SUV crashed into the public library in Peachland Wednesday afternoon.
On April 5 at 3:57 p.m., crews rushed to the scene after a SUV drove through the front wall of the Okanagan Regional Library located on Clements Crescent in Peachland.
Witnesses reported to police that the blue BMW X3 was moving through the parking lot, when the vehicle suddenly drove over the curb and onto the pedestrian walkway before it crashed through the wall.
Police were told several innocent bystanders, who had been patrons inside the public library at the time, sustained varying degrees of injury and were transported to hospital as a result.
For some, those injuries were sustained as a result of being struck by the vehicle, while others were hit with flying debris.
“At this time there is no clear cause of this tragic incident,” states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
“The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to interview victims and independent witnesses at the scene. As part of their investigation, RCMP will seize the vehicle which will be the subject of a full mechanical inspection.”
One man, believed to be in his 40s, sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.
Another individual sustained what police believe to be serious injuries, while the remaining three are believed to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver, a 71-year-old woman, was transported to hospital as a precaution for further medical assessment.
“RCMP continue to secure the crash site, as investigators work alongside analysts with RCMP Integrated Collision Analyst and Reconstructionist Services (ICARS), who will also conduct a full examination of the scene,” adds O’Donaghey.
If you witnessed this incident and have not yet spoken to police you are asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.
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UPDATED: 5:30 p.m.
A BMW SUV plowed into the Peachland Library Wednesday afternoon, reportedly pinning at least one person.
Reports from the scene indicate one person was trapped underneath the vehicle, while several others were injured.
Emergency personnel on scene confirm that several people were rushed to hospital via ambulance, and at least one was seriously injured.
A witness told the Capital News he saw the SUV speeding by in his peripheral vision and then he heard a loud crunch. He ran outside to see what happened and couldn’t locate the car at first as he discovered it was completely inside the library.
The witness also reports the driver was an adult woman. Several on the scene believe she may have experienced a medical emergency, causing her to lose control of the vehicle.
We will have more details as they become available.
