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UPDATE: Icy conditions cause accident, Highway 97 closure

Extremely icy conditions cause of accident that sends vehicle into Okanagan Lake.
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Emergency crews attend to the victim of a morning accident in which an SUV went off Highway 97 into Okanagan Lake just south of Trout Creek. After repeated attempts Penticton Fire Rescue members were able to free the person from the vehicle which was completely submerged. The victim was given CPR in the ambulance and taken to Penticton Regional Hospital. Police report a 42-year-old Summerland woman has died as a result of the accident.

Update:

Sgt. Harold Hallett of RCMP South Okanagan Traffic Services is reporting the 42-year-old Summerland woman involved in a serious traffic accident this morning has died.

The victim was southbound southbound on Highway 97 near Sage Mesa Drive in a Honda CRV which went off the highway and into Okanagan Lake.

Road conditions at the time were extremely slippery and the unidentified woman was trapped inside the vehicle for some time before being freed by members of Penticton Fire Rescue.

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The BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure reports a section of Highway 97 between Trout Creek and Penticton is now open to traffic. Drivers should expect delays due to traffic congestion.

Sgt. Harold Hallett of the South Okanagan Traffic Services said the driver of a Honda CRV lost control on the icy road conditions and slid into Okanagan Lake.

A 42-year-old Summerland woman was extricated from the vehicle by Penticton Fire and Rescue. Hallett said the driver sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident.

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South Okanagan Traffic Services and RCMP officers from both Penticton and Summerland are on scene of a single vehicle accident on Highway 97 near Trout Creek.

According to RCMP a vehicle lost control on the extremely icy roads and entered Okanagan Lake. One occupant has been recovered from the vehicle. Members from the RCMP dive team are enroute as it is unknown if there are any other occupants. RCMP said several bystanders immediately entered the lake to assist the driver and are being treated for hypothermia.

The highway has been shut down due to extremely icy conditions. Highways have been notified and are en route.

The Western News will update as information becomes available.



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