Semi strikes downtown Kamloops building

A truck hauling wood chips struck a downtown Kamloops building Tuesday morning, April 30.

The trailer remains at the scene, torn open with its payload spilled onto the pavement on Seymour Street.

Commuting through downtown is already a challenge as drivers must detour away from Lansdowne Street because of a construction project. The detour route, which had the driver navigating a tight right hand turn, just began on Monday.

Just after 9 a.m., the truck's trailer hit an overhang on the Valley First building.

Bank manager Charla Johnstone said it was just before opening, but staff were inside and startled by the crash which was both felt and heard inside.

The building is being inspected in case there is any damage beyond the cosmetic damage on the overhang, she said.

RCMP and Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement officers were at the scene around noon, but they were later replaced by bylaw officers.

The driver was also still at the scene around noon, but a Kamloops RCMP officer intervened to close the sidewalk before iNFOnews.ca could speak with him.

Lansdowne Street construction will be ongoing for the next six months as the City of Kamloops replaces water and sewer infrastructure, moving in phases along each block.

On Tuesday afternoon, the tractor was gone, but the trailer was still at the scene.

The sidewalk nearby is also closed to pedestrians because the trailer's structure is so damaged it could collapse, according to a bylaw officer at the scene.

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