A two vehicle collision that sent five people to hospital started the weekend off in the Lower Similkameen.
On July 19 , just after 4 p.m., a white Chevrolet Blazer was east bound on Highway 3, two kilometres east of Keremeos. A second white SUV was stopped making a left turn and was waiting for oncoming traffic.
The SUV waiting for traffic managed to turn into the adjacent driveway, but the Blazer attempted to evade collision with the stopped vehicle and lost control. It then crossed over the centreline and collided with an oncoming Saturn two door coupe.
The impact caused the SUV to roll onto it’s side in an adjacent orchard.
A male passenger in the Blazer was partially ejected and was subsequently transported by air ambulance to Kelowna General Hospital with serious life threatening injuries. The drivers of the Blazer and Saturn were taken to Penticton and Oliver hospitals for treatment. Two other male passengers in the Blazer received minor injuries.
The driver of the Blazer was a 36 year old female from Vancouver, while the Saturn driver was a 25 year old female was from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
The three male passengers are foreign nationals and police are making attempts to locate next of kin.
No names are being release at this time.
Due to the serious life threatening injuries involved South Okanagan Traffic Services continue to investigate this incident.
Any witnesses are encouraged to call the office at 250-499-2250.