Kelowna’s mayor is calling for additional support for vulnerable people in the city after five overdose deaths were reported on Saturday and one homeless man was sent to the hospital after being run over by a truck early Sunday morning.
"The events of the past 24 hours have reinforced the vital importance of continuing to advocate for the right supports for vulnerable people living on our streets and for people with addictions," said mayor Colin Basran in a statement.
“With five deadly overdoses within 9 hours yesterday and last night’s horrific incident between a truck driver and a person using the temporary overnight shelter, the need for more shelter space, complex care facilities is obvious."
On Saturday, RMCP in West Kelowna and Kelowna responded to three calls for overdoses that ended in five deaths.
At this time, Interior Health has not issued a drug alert for the Okanagan.
Following the incidents, mayor Basran said it was clear more needed to be done for members of the community who need help.
“More of these types of support are coming to Kelowna, however it is clear we need connect members of our community with the help they need when they need it,” he said.
Early Sunday morning, police also responded to a report of a vehicle that had driven through a homeless encampment off Baille Avenue and sent one man to the hospital with “significant” injuries.
