FILE PHOTO

(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)

The West Kelowna RCMP and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue are searching Okanagan Lake for a SUV and driver after it left Westside Road after colliding with another vehicle last night.

RCMP officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision in the 2000 block of Westside Road just after 7:30 p.m. yesterday, June 24, according to the RCMP in a media release.

Witnesses reported a grey sports utility vehicle attempted to pass a Kia SUV travelling northbound on the road when it collided with the Kia SUV and travelled off the road into Okanagan Lake.

The Kia SUV was extensively damaged in the collision. The SUV and driver that went into Okanagan Lake have not been found and the driver is presumed to be dead, according to police.

Police continue to make efforts to identify the driver and the SUV.

“The scene of the collision was closed for several hours as investigators collected evidence to assist in determining the cause of the collision and to locate the SUV,” said Const. Solana Paré, media relations officer with the Kelowna regional detachment, in the press release.

“West Kelowna RCMP, the RCMP Underwater Recovery Team and Central Okanagan Search and Rescue continue efforts to locate the driver and the submerged vehicle. For the safety of our divers and search team, we remind the public to remain away from the area of our search.”

As per the Coroners Act, no further information will be released by the RCMP or the B.C. Coroners Service. The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.

Anyone with any information about the collision is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.

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