Kelowna bridge reopens after explosives team give all-clear to removal of suspicious van

The William R. Bennett Bridge connecting West Kelowna to Kelowna has reopened to traffic in both directions after an explosives team gave the all-clear to a suspicious white van that had been parked in the middle of the bridge in the early morning hours.

Kelowna RCMP said the incident started at around 3:45 a.m. PT Monday when they responded to a distraught man who had parked the vehicle sideways across the eastbound lanes in the middle of the bridge. The man had lit a small fire inside.

Kelowna RCMP Insp. Chris Gable said officers convinced the man to exit the vehicle, and he was taken into custody and brought to Kelowna General Hospital.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, however, officials had to wait for the arrival of the B.C. RCMP explosives disposal unit from the Lower Mainland to ensure the vehicle could be removed from the bridge safely.

 At approximately 2:15 p.m. PT, the van was towed off the bridge without incident. 

WATCH | Police presence on the closed William R. Bennett Bridge: 

Kelowna's Bennett Bridge closed for investigation

2 days ago

Duration 0:55

Kelowna RCMP closed the William R. Bennet Bridge this morning at 3:45 am while responding to a person in crisis who had parked a vehicle in the eastbound lanes of the bridge. Police believed the person ignited a small fire in the vehicle before they were safely taken into custody.

"This investigation remains ongoing, and no further details will be provided at this time," said Cpl. Michael Gauthier Kelowna RCMP media relations officer in a statement. "Thank you especially to the public for understanding and remaining patient while this matter was resolved safely."

Gable said another site in Rutland was also under investigation and potentially linked to the bridge incident.

A man has claimed responsibility in a Facebook post that lists grievances against many parties, including police. The post has not been confirmed as that of the person police have arrested.

The incident led to major traffic chaos in the area and long lineups on either side of the bridge, which crosses Okanagan Lake and is part of Highway 97, the major route leading into and out of Kelowna. 

Ron Berlie, president of Penticton Search and Rescue, told CBC News his team had been responding to several reports of vehicles being stranded on forest service roads as people try to get around the closure. No injuries have been reported, he said.

Some essential emergency and health-care workers were ferried across the lake in order to get to their jobs.