Vernon driver lucky to be alive

On Friday afternoon, August 28 at approximately 4:00 pm during rush hour traffic, the Summerland RCMP BC Ambulance Services, along with Summerland BC Ambulance Services and the Summerland Fire Rescue responded to an single vehicle collision, on Hwy 97 North of Summerland. A northbound vehicle failed to negotiate a curve within the Hwy 97 construction zone and had gone over the road edge and down a steep embankment.

Summerland Fire Rescue utilized a basket and ropes to bring the driver and sole occupant back up to the highway level. The male suffered minor injuries.

The drive and lone occupant, a 44 year old male from Vernon was northbound in a 2006 Dodge commercial van rounding a left hand curve, near Punte Norte Bed and BreakFast, veering off and through the entrance to a pull off area. The van plunged down the embankment which in this area is near vertical, coming to rest approximately 50 meters below. The vehicle remained upright on its wheelbase as it descended without rolling and coming to a stop in the loose rock face.

The Summerland RCMP restricted traffic to one lane flow for a period of approximately 1 hour, to permit the safe rescue of the driver. Summerland Fire Rescue attended and utilized rope and basket with fire crew and BCAS safely removing the male driver who suffered minor injuries. The driver was transported to the Penticton Regional Hospital where he remained over night for observation and full examination.

“Given the steepness of the area where he went off and down what is essentially a cliff, the man is lucky to be alive. Had the vehicle not remained upright on it’s wheels and stopped where it did instead of careening down into the water, it is certain that this collision would of had a far worse outcome”, stated Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

“It was a prime example of the excellent and cooperative effort between Police, Fire and Ambulance that is carried out in our communities and on our highways across British Columbia on a day to day basis, which at times go unnoticed. In this case the Summerland Fire and Rescue assisted by the RCMP and BC Ambulance Services certainly all demonstrated their capabilities”, added Cpl Dan Moskaluk.

“The RCMP in this area and all police services across the province, would like to take this opportunity to remind drivers, that reduced temporary speed limits in constructions zones are posted to minimize the risk to drivers and road crews alike. Please obey posted speed limits in constructions zones and on all highways and community roadways” — Cpl Dan Moskaluk

The Summerland RCMP is continuing it’s investigation into the cause of this collision.

Kelowna
August 29, 2009
RCMP file # 2009-08-29