
Photo via Brett Mineer
UPDATE 6:45 p.m. – Traffic flows across Kamloops have mostly returned to normal after several hours of delays and frustrations from drivers.
Northbound traffic on the Overlanders Bridge was flowing well once Fortune Drive was reopened by police. That closure, which forced drivers to detour via Tranquille Road, led to major backups up the Summit Connector and Victoria Street West.
There were still some slowdowns on the Halston Bridge, though not as severe as earlier when traffic was backed up down the Yellowhead Highway and the Trans-Canada highway past Petersen Creek park.
RCMP have not released an update about the condition of the police officer taken to hospital or the other driver involved in the crash just after 11 a.m. at Fortune Drive and Fort Avenue.
Radio NL has reached out to the RCMP for more information.
ORIGINAL – A Kamloops RCMP officer was taken to hospital after a crash between a police motorcycle and another vehicle on Fortune Drive.
Mounties say the crash happened just after 11 a.m. Thursday, June 6, at Fortune Drive and Fort Avenue, a short distance away from the Overlanders Bridge.
“Currently traffic in the area is being re-routed, as emergency responders are on scene investigating the crash,” RCMP Cpl. Dana Napier said.
Traffic is being rerouted primarily onto Tranquille Road, though there are reports of major traffic tie-ups up the Summit Connector as well as Victoria Street West.
The Halston is an option, albeit not a very good one, as its slow going because of construction with reports that traffic is backed up all the way to the Trans-Canada interchange in Valleyview.
This is the second crash in that part of Kamloops this morning. One person was taken to hospital after a five-vehicle crash on the Overlanders Bridge just after 8 a.m.. That particular crash tied up traffic for well over an hour before crews were able to clear the scene.
People are being told to avoid the area, with witnesses also being asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP and reference file number 2024-17296.