(UPDATE: Jan. 27 @ 2:20 pm) - After a closure that lasted more than 10 hours, the William R. Bennett Bridge has reopened to traffic.
Members of the Lower Mainland Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) finally arrived at the scene early this afternoon after making the long highway journey up from Vancouver.
Experts inspected the white van, subject of the bomb scare that began around 3:45 am this morning, and completed the necessary work to ensure it was safe.
While police have not yet provided an update on the contents of the van, which has markings of an ice cream truck on its front side, it was eventually towed from the bridge shortly before 2 pm.
A statement from the RCMP says the EDU "rendered the vehicle safe for transport."
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The key link between Kelowna and West Kelowna is now open to traffic in both directions, which is positive news for the long line of semis waiting on Bridge Hill to continue their day's work.
Cpl. Michael Gauthier said the investigation remains ongoing and no further information will be released by the RCMP at this time.
“I’d like to acknowledge and thank all of our partner agencies for coming together and working through this incident," Gauthier noted.
"Thank you especially to the public for understanding and remaining patient while this matter was resolved safely.”
(UPDATE: Jan. 27 @ 1:03 pm) - Some more photographs from the bridge this afternoon, showing what appears to be bomb disposal experts:
(UPDATE: Jan. 27 @ 12:28 pm) - It appears the bomb disposal unit from the Lower Mainland has arrived on the William R. Bennett Bridge.
Kelowna RCMP had previously told the press that officers were waiting for the arrival of the explosives experts before they can begin clearing the bridge and reopening it to traffic.
They said earlier, at the 11:30 am press conference, that they expected their arrival within a couple of hours.
The RCMP's Explosive Disposal Unit uses remote-controlled devices and other high-tech gear to render bombs safe.
"When there’s a threat of a terrorist attack, a suspicious package found, radiation detected, or a high-profile event such as the Olympics or the G8/20 Summit to secure, this is the unit that police agencies call," the unit says of itself.
While the RCMP is yet to confirm the unit's arrival, KelownaNow has captured images showing the unit's distinctive white box truck.
(UPDATE: Jan. 27 @ 11:24 am) - Kelowna Mounties are waiting for explosives experts to arrive from the Lower Mainland before they remove the vehicle from the William R. Bennett Bridge.
They did not provide an estimated time for the bridge to reopen, but said the team should arrive within a couple of hours.
Police said they’ve transported surgeons, doctors, nurses, RCMP officers and fire department staff across the lake to provide critical services in Kelowna.
During the press conference, led by Acting Officer in Charge Inspector Chris Goebel, the public was also told that:
(UPDATE: Jan. 27 @ 11:11 am) - The RCMP will update the public about the closure of the William R. Bennett Bridge at 11:30 am this morning.
In a press notice, Mounties said the acting officer in charge, Inspector Chris Goebel, will speak with journalists about the incident.
KelownaNow will stream the press conference.
(UPDATE: Jan. 27 @ 9 am) - The William R. Bennett Bridge remains closed in both directions this morning.
The key link between Kelowna and West Kelowna shut down shortly before 4 am this morning as police responded to an "individual in crisis."
At this time, local police are waiting on the Lower Mainland Explosive Disposal Unit to travel up from Vancouver to inspect the individual's white van that is parked in the eastbound lanes.
“Once we deem the vehicle is safe, it will be removed and the highway will be reopened," Cpl. Michael Gauthier explained in an earlier bulletin.
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Westbound Harvey Avenue traffic has been blocked off at Ellis Street in Kelowna, while backed up Hwy 97 traffic in West Kelowna is being forced to turn around at the roundabouts just west of Bridge Hill.
Police have told motorists that the bridge will not open until the afternoon at the very earliest.
A "manifesto" of sorts, allegedly written by the person taken into custody by police this morning, was sent to local media outlets and posted to Facebook shortly before 4 am.
While the Facebook post has been shared around, the RCMP has not provided any official comment on the individual's lengthy letter or provided any details on who was brought into custody.
(Original story: Jan. 27 @ 5:55 am) - The William R. Bennett Bridge has been closed in both directions.
Police said in a notice this morning that they responded to an “individual in crisis” at about 3:45 am.
The person in question had parked a vehicle in the eastbound lanes of the bridge, Mounties said, before allegedly lighting a “small fire in the vehicle.”
The individual was then “safely” taken into custody, police explained.
Police said the bridge is set to be closed for “several hours.”
“The bridge is closed in both directions right now while we have the necessary resources, including the Lower Mainland Explosive Disposal Unit, [to] ensure the vehicle can be removed safely,” said Cpl. Michael Gauthier.
“Once we deem the vehicle is safe, it will be removed and the highway will be reopened.
“Expect the bridge to be closed for several hours, please make alternate driving arrangements in the meantime.”
