UPDATE: Highway 97 south of Penticton reopens to single lane after collision, diesel spill

A transport truck carrying diesel crashed and spilled its load on Highway 97 between Penticton and Okanagan Falls this morning.

The highway, which was originally completely closed, has since reopened to single lane alternating traffic between Lakehill Road and Okanagan Game Farm Road. Drive B.C. said to expect major delays and asked drivers to watch for traffic control.

Police received a call about the accident at 7:58 a.m. today, Dec. 1, according to a Penticton RCMP press release.

Early indicators suggest that a pickup truck traveling south on Highway 97, near Larch Avenue in Kaleden, crossed the double solid line and collided with an on-coming semi-trailer, which was carrying a diesel fuel tank, RCMP said. The pickup sideswiped the semi-trailer’s cab which caused the diesel to spill.

Criminality is not believed to be a factor, police said.

The driver of the pickup truck was taken to the Kelowna General Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Cleanup efforts and an RCMP investigation are currently underway with support from B.C. Highway Patrol.

For the latest on the traffic situation, go to the Drive B.C. website here.

If you witnessed this incident, or have any other information, you’re asked to call the Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300. Or remain completely anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

— This story was updated at 11:44 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, to say the highway had reopened to single lane traffic.

— This story was updated at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, with new information from RCMP.

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