A semi truck and trailer flipped on Highway 97 as it was heading into Penticton early Wednesday morning, causing heavy traffic backups.
Crews were called to the scene, at the intersection with Westbench Drive around 5 a.m.
The truck was travelling southbound and failed to make it around the sharp bend, according to Dennis Smith, assistant fire chief with the Penticton Fire Department.
“It was over on its side on a guard rail and slightly over the embankment,” Smith said.
“One person, the driver, had exited the vehicle by the time we arrived on scene. He managed to get himself outside of the truck and was assessed by ambulance paramedics.”
Traffic was blocked for some time before opening the road back up.
“We did a little work making the highway safe for traffic going by,” Smith said.
“We put down some absorbent to pick up some fuel that had spilled from the truck.”
He said no fuel is believed to have gone into the river channel.
RCMP believe speed may have been a factor in the crash.
“He was turning and it rolled over. Obviously it appears the vehicle was going too fast for the corner,” Penticton RCMP spokesperson Rick Dellebuur said.
Dellebuur said no other vehicles were involved and no one was injured, aside from the driver suffering some cuts from broken glass.
A towing company attended the scene and charges are pending.
Lanes have since been reopened to traffic.
~ With files from Angela Jung
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