UPDATE Friday, Nov. 15:

Despite significant damage, occupants of two vehicles received non life-threatening injuries in a Highway 97 crash Thursday.

The crash at Meadowlark Road, north of Vernon, took place shortly before 4 p.m. and restricted traffic on the highway as crews cleared the scene and repaired damaged infrastructure.

"The collision occurred when a Kia passenger vehicle, attempting to cross the highway from Meadowlark Road, was struck by a pickup truck travelling in the northbound lane causing the Kia to collide with a utility pole," said Vernon North Okanagan media relations officer Const. Christ Terleski. "Both drivers, and sole occupants, were transported from the scene for treatment of non-life threatening injuries."

UPDATE 5 p.m.: Some people have been transported to Vernon Jubilee Hospital as the result of the incident. Traffic is now single-lane alternating.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A motor-vehicle incident Thursday afternoon is snarling traffic trying to leave Vernon.

The incident is on Highway 97 heading north toward Spallumcheen at Meadowlark Road, and happened around 3:40 p.m.

A white Kia Soul and black Dodge Ram were involved and a light pole was also knocked down.

Traffic is backed up northbound to the Stickle Road intersection, and the snarl has left traffic control personnel having to drive the median to get to the scene.

"We are moving at a snail's pace," said one motorist to the Morning Star, who added that traffic appears to be "very backed up" southbound as well.

An ambulance with its lights in operation was heading south toward Vernon, and some other traffic is getting through heading south.

There is a report of a street light being hit and wires coming down.