A four vehicle collision resulted in traffic backups on Highway 97 south of Penticton today, July 27, 2016. Steve Arstad

UPDATE: Four vehicle collision south of Penticton sends driver to hospital

PENTICTON – One man was taken to hospital following a four vehicle collision just south of Penticton yesterday evening.

Police says the incident took place around 5:10 p.m., July 27, on Highway 97 just past Sandhill Road near Okanagan Amusements.

Penticton RCMP spokesperson Rick Dellebuur says the driver of a grey 2001 Hyundai — travelling north on Highway 97 — was trying to set his cruise control when he crossed the centre line into oncoming southbound traffic.

The Hyundai first struck a red 2001 Dodge Ram, causing it to spin around and knocking off the a wheel.

A sedan, two pickup trucks and a coupe were involved in a collision just south of Okanagan Amusements around 5 p.m. today, July 27, 2016. | Photographer: Steve Arstad

The Hyundai then struck a Cadillac ATS, causing its drivers' side airbags to deploy. 

A 1991 Ford pickup, also southbound, was hit by the Hyundai causing the driver to swerve into the ditch.

Two of the drivers were from Oliver, one was from Okanagan Falls and the other from White Lake Road.

The Hyundai driver was transported to hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries.

Highway 97 was closed for a brief period of time yesterday evening before opening to single lane, alternating traffic through the collision zone. Traffic was significantly backed up in both north and southbound lanes for more than an hour.

Wednesday was a bad day for drivers at both ends of the city after a semi truck rolled at Penticton's north entrance earlier in the day, resulting in traffic problems for morning commuters.

Traffic was slow moving and backed up for at least two kilometres south of Penticton on Highway 97 this afternoon, July 27, 2016. | Photographer: Steve Arstad

— This story was updated at 10 a.m. July 28, 2016 to include additional information from the RCMP.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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