Kelowna RCMP appeal for witnesses after crash sends K9 officer to hospital

KELOWNA – Kelowna RCMP are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a serious collision last night, which involved an RCMP dog handler and a tractor trailer.

The crash took place on Highway 33 east of Kelowna, when the K9 unit officer was responding to a priority call in an unmarked vehicle. The officer involved was rushed to hospital following the incident with serious non-life threatening injuries.

RCMP say the veteran officer is recovering in hospital and remains in good spirits. The semi truck driver was injured in the crash and has been released from hospital.

The officer's K9 partner has received a full examination from a vet and appears to be relatively unharmed, police say. 

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

RCMP are appealing to motorists with dash cameras that were in the area before, during or following the collision to watch their footage and contact police, as well as businesses and homeowners who may have video footage even if it doesn't capture the collision.

"The specially trained collision reconstructionist, of the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Services or ICARS, will now analyze the physical evidence and data information gathered at the scene, and subsequently prepare a detailed report to assist investigators in determining those contributing factors," Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey said in a release.

Witnesses to the crash, who have not yet spoken to police, are asked to call the Kelowna RCMP Municipal Traffic Section at 250-762-3300.

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