Slippery conditions contribute to vehicles ending up in Okanagan Lake

PENTICTON – Last night’s snowfall created some slippery roads around Penticton this morning, making for a busy start to the day for the city’s emergency crews.

Penticton RCMP spokesperson Const. James Grandy said in a press release issued today, March 7, police and Penticton fire crews responded to a motor vehicle incident around 500 metres south of Kickininee Beach on Highway 97 around 7:50 a.m. on reports of a vehicle in the lake.

A pickup truck travelling south on Highway 97 slipped off the slush covered highway and came to a rest partially submerged in the lake. The driver and only occupant was unharmed.

Penticton Deputy Fire Chief Dennis Smith said a second vehicle entered the lake a short time after emergency officials left the scene. Further details on that incident are not available.

Smith say the fire department also responded to a two vehicle collision at Government Street and Forestbrook Drive, as well as a single-vehicle collision where the vehicle became lodged on a highway median at Warren Avenue and the Channel Parkway. The crashes occurred during the morning commute.

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