UPDATE: Highway 97 open after falling rock near Summerland

SUMMERLAND – Falling rock closed a portion of Highway 97 just north of Summerland Sunday and is responsible for injuring two people.

The small slide closed the southbound lanes 2 kilometres north of the town at about 11:28 a.m.

The highway reopened to single lane, alternating traffic about an hour later at 12:20 p.m. as a damaged vehicle and the debris were cleared from the road. An assessment of the slope stability was also done, according to Drive B.C.

Chris Harbord with the B.C. Ambulance Service says they responded with two ambulances.

She says two patients were transported to Penticton Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

“It sounds like some rocks hit a vehicle,” Harbord says.

It will be slow going for drivers for some time as traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction.

The pile of rock that slide down a rock face along Highway 97 just north of Summerland on Sunday, July 6, 2014. Global Okanagan (with permission)

A rock face gave way along Highway 97 just north of Summerland on Sunday, July 6, 2014. Global Okanagan (with permission)

This is the area of Highway 97 where people are asking for a lane barrier. Credit: Global Okanagan (with permission)

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To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infotelnews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

– This story was updated at 12:38 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2014 to add more information from B.C. Amublance service and Drive B.C.

– This story was updated at 1:51 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2014 to add pictures of the rock slide.

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Howard Alexander

Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.