A serious multi-vehicle collision on the William R. Bennett Bridge caused major disruption between Kelowna and West Kelowna on Tuesday morning, September 22, 2026.
The crash forced the closure of southbound traffic on the bridge for several hours before the crossing was reopened shortly before 9 a.m.
Bennett Bridge Crash Causes Major Traffic Disruption
The collision happened shortly after 4 a.m. on the William R. Bennett Bridge, which carries Highway 97 traffic between Kelowna and West Kelowna.
Kelowna RCMP and West Kelowna RCMP responded to the scene after the crash, with BC Emergency Health Services also attending.
Southbound traffic toward West Kelowna was closed between Pandosy Street in Kelowna and Campbell Road in West Kelowna while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene.
The closure created significant congestion in both directions, affecting commuters across the Central Okanagan.
William R. Bennett Bridge Reopens
Traffic heading toward West Kelowna began moving again at about 8:55 a.m., with the crash scene cleared around 8:30 a.m.
The bridge had been closed for more than four hours, and drivers experienced substantial delays during the morning commute.
Traffic entering Kelowna was also affected by a lane restriction during the response.
Authorities had recommended an alternate route through Vernon and Westside Road for motorists traveling toward West Kelowna while the bridge remained closed.
Injuries and Cause of Crash Not Confirmed
Despite the seriousness of the collision, police had not confirmed the extent of injuries or what factors contributed to the crash.
Cpl. Steven Lang of the RCMP said the investigation was still in its early stages and that further information would be released when appropriate. The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service was also involved in the investigation.
There was no confirmed information in the reports reviewed about fatalities from this particular Bennett Bridge collision.
Crash Raises Concerns Over Kelowna-West Kelowna Connection
The extended bridge closure once again highlighted how heavily residents of Kelowna and West Kelowna rely on the single crossing over Okanagan Lake.
The disruption was significant enough that Mount Boucherie Secondary School in West Kelowna was forced to close for the day after traffic delays prevented enough staff from reaching the school.
The incident has also renewed discussion among local officials and residents about the need for additional transportation capacity between the two communities.
Kelowna Bennett Bridge Accident Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | William R. Bennett Bridge |
| Highway | Highway 97 |
| Area | Kelowna and West Kelowna, British Columbia |
| Date | September 22, 2026 |
| Time of crash | Shortly after 4 a.m. |
| Incident | Serious multi-vehicle collision |
| Southbound closure | Pandosy Street to Campbell Road |
| Bridge reopened | Shortly before 9 a.m. |
| Investigation | RCMP and Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service |
| Injuries | Extent not confirmed |
| Fatalities | None confirmed in reports reviewed |
| Cause | Under investigation |
Investigation Continues
The Bennett Bridge has now reopened to traffic, but the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
Police have not yet released a complete account of how the collision occurred or confirmed the extent of injuries suffered by those involved.
Drivers in the Kelowna and West Kelowna area should continue to monitor official traffic updates for any further restrictions or developments related to the investigation.
Disclaimer
This article is based on reporting published by Castanet, Global News and information attributed to RCMP and DriveBC on September 22, 2026. The cause of the collision and extent of injuries had not been confirmed in the reports reviewed. Details may be updated as authorities release additional information.