Kelowna man dead from collision after suspected heart attack while driving

RCMP have confirmed the death of a 66-year-old man involved in a single-vehicle collision along Highway 97 on Sunday afternoon.

At approximately 1 p.m., emergency crews were called to the scene of a single vehicle collision on Highway 97 near Dry Valley Road.

According to RCMP, a man driving a black Mercedes 300E had been travelling southbound when his vehicle swerved off of the highway, hitting a traffic sign before resting against a small tree.

“The investigation remains in its early stages and determining the causal factors will rely on the results of a pending mechanical inspection, the findings made by the collision analyst who examined the scene and the information provided by independent witnesses to the crash,” states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, Kelowna RCMP.

“There are some early indicators to suggest that the driver may have suffered a sudden medical incident behind the wheel.”

When BC Ambulance Service paramedics arrived to the scene of the collision, they attended to the driver who had fallen into cardiac arrest.

“Emergency paramedics reportedly performed CPR on the male for an extended period of time before he was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene,” adds Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

A portion of Highway 97 SB was closed off following the incident but has since been reopened.

#BCHwy97 - Vehicle incident blocking Southbound right lane North of #Kelowna.
Assessment in progress, drive with care.
Information here: https://t.co/eXSjjUmxJ7#VernonBC

— Drive BC (@DriveBC) March 10, 2019

Out of respect for the deceased’s privacy, Police have said they are not releasing the name of the driver.

RCMP are asking witnesses of the crash to contact the Kelowna RCMP Municipal Traffic Section at 250-762-3300.