UPDATE: Two dead in crash in Vernon; police looking for witnesses

VERNON – Two young women from Kelowna were found dead in a head-on collision with another vehicle on Highway 97 in Vernon, early Sunday morning, and another two people from Armstrong are in hospital, police say.

The two vehicles collided near the 27 Street overpass just after midnight Sunday morning, July 12. Cpl. Joseph Leeson said one of the vehicles crossed the centre line at 12:10 a.m. Two women, ages 22 and 26, died at the scene. A 32-year-old woman and 26-year-old man from Armstrong suffered "serious but non life threatening injuries," Leeson said.

Police and the B.C. Coroners Service are investigating. The highway closed for roughly six hours, he said. Police are witholding the names until family is notified.

Preliminary investigation has revealed the two deceased Kelowna women were driving a Nissan Sentra, while the Armstrong residents were in a Volkswagen Jetta. It appears the Nissan was the vehicle that crossed the centre line, RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said Monday.

Police continue to investigate the crash, and will be looking into all aspects of the accident, including the possibility speed, alcohol, or slippery road conditions may have been factors.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or were at the scene to assist the victims to call the detachment at 250-545-7171. 

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 9:48 a.m. July 13, 2015, to say police are looking for witnesses to the accident and again at 11:06 a.m., July 13, 2015, to add additional information about the makes of the vehicles.