Three high school students are dead following an overnight crash in Kelowna early Wednesday.
RCMP said they responded to a single-vehicle collision on Gordon Drive, south of Cook Road, just after midnight.
When officers arrived, the three occupants of the badly damaged black Honda Civic were declared dead at the scene.
The three have been identified as Grade 12 students at Kelowna Secondary School.
On Wednesday afternoon, Kelowna RCMP said “the 18-year-old female driver, the 18-year-old male passenger and the 17-year-old female passenger, all from the Kelowna area, were pronounced deceased at the scene.”
Earlier in the day, School District 23 superintendent Kevin Kaardal confirmed the three were seniors at KSS.
Kaardal told Global News that it’s been an extremely tragic day, and that thoughts go out to friends and family of the deceased.
He also said the school district’s critical incident response team has been activated and that it’s “at the school right now, supporting staff and students as they deal with this tragedy.”
RCMP said earlier they were in the process of notifying next-of-kin and the BC Coroners Service has been notified.
A witness told Global News that the vehicle was cut in half after hitting a utility pole.
The pole was flattened and two of the bodies were found in one half of the severed Honda.
A stretch of Gordon Road, between Lexington Drive and Cook Road, was closed for hours as officers continued to investigate. The road was reopened in the afternoon.
Police also thanked the public for their patience while Gordon Drive remained closed as investigators collected evidence to determine the cause of the crash.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to friends and family affected by this tragic collision,” said Const. Solana Pare. “RCMP Victim Services are providing support to the witnesses, friends and family of the victims during this difficult time.”