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Update: Highway 97 reopens to single lane alternating 22 km north of Williams Lake

BC Hydro and BC Wildfire crews are responding to downed power lines due to an MVI 25 kilometres north of Williams Lake
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A motor vehicle incident 25 kilometers north of Williams Lake has knocked out power to 544 BC Hydro customers and is causing driving delays and congestion. BC Hydro image

Update 3:44 p.m.

DriveBC reports Highway 97 has re-opened to single lane alternating traffic after a vehicle incident Saturday afternoon 22 kilometres north of Williams Lake.

Update 2:46 p.m.

A single vehicle collision north of Williams Lake on Highway 97 has knocked down power lines and caused a small brush fire, Williams Lake RCMP Officer in Charge Insp. Jeff Pelley told the Tribune Saturday afternoon.

“The cause of the collision is under investigation and all occupants are out of the vehicle,” Pelley said, noting BC Wildfire Service is on scene.

The highway will be closed for approximately two hours until Hydro crews can address live powerlines, Pelley confirmed.

DriveBC is reporting the closure is two kilometres south of Lynes Creek Road and there is no detour available.

The next update from DriveBC will be at 4:30 p.m.

Original story:

A motor vehicle accident north of Williams Lake on Highway 97 has knocked out power for hundreds of B.C. Hydro customers Saturday afternoon.

BC Hydro’s website indicates that 544 customers are without power due to the motor vehicle incident.

It is believed a vehicle struck a power pole in the Lynes Creek Rd. area. 25 kilometres north of Williams Lake.

Drive BC notes drivers can expect delays and congestion in the area.

Hydro crews are en route.

More to come.

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Highway 97 is closed in both directions two kilometres south of Lynes Creek Road due to a motor vehicle accident Saturday afternoon. Eric Tate photo
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Monica Lamb-Yorski

About the Author: Monica Lamb-Yorski

A B.C. gal, I was born in Alert Bay, raised in Nelson, graduated from the University of Winnipeg, and wrote my first-ever article for the Prince Rupert Daily News.
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