UPDATE: Accident shuts down Highway 97 south of OK Falls

PENTICTON – A serious motor vehicle accident that shut down Highway 97 in both directions just south of Okanagan Falls sent two to hospital yesterday afternoon.

Police were initially led to respond to calls of an accident near Kaleden and south of Okanagan Falls at Alba Road prior to receiving word of the proper location of the incident, near Weyerhaueser Road just south of Okanagan Falls.

Firefighters from Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department, police and B.C. Ambulance personnel attended the MVA which occurred just after 3 p.m. on Jan. 15.

Police say a black, 1997 Kia SUV was travelling southbound at approximately 80 kilometres an hour when it was struck by a small northbound Mazda Protege that crossed the centreline.

Witnesses say the car had been passing two other vehicles prior to the collision.

Roads were reportedly in good condition, and visibility was good.

The 18 year old female driver of the Mazda was airlifted to Kelowna General with broken ankles, cuts and lacerations.

The driver of the Kia was transported to Penticton Regional Hospital for x-rays, while the other occupant of the vehicle, a 90 year old male, suffered a cut finger.

Police continue their investigation into the incident.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 12:45 Friday, Jan. 16 to include information provided by Penticton RCMP.