UPDATE: 3 p.m.
The police situation has been resolved and buses will soon be able to return to the schools to pick up the students.
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Original:
Highway 97A north of Enderby is closed due to an unfolding police incident.
The highway is close to the interchange of Hwy 97A / 97B and Sicamous. Northbound traffic is being diverted onto Highway 97B toward Salmon Arm at this time.
Staff Sgt. Kris Clark said the police response is in relation to a woman who has expressed suicidal ideas.
“Efforts are underway to safely apprehend the woman and get her to the care she needs before she can harm herself. Due to the nature of the call, and the possible presence of a firearm, the Southeast District Emergency Response Team has been engaged to assist in the apprehension,” said Clark.
Students from Parkview, Eagle River, M.V. Beattie, Grindrod, and A.L. Fortune were forced to remain in the schools due to the unfolding situation. According to School District 83, students and staff were safe and were in no imminent danger.
Barricades were placed south of Sicamous, at Two Mile, at intersection of 97A and Grindrod Enderby Road, and also at intersection at Hwy 97A and 97B.
According to reports on social media residents in the area saw a large police presence with four tactical emergency response units and an RCMP helicopter in the area.
Traffic is affected through Mara and Sicamous.
More to come.
READ MORE: Highway between Vernon and Kamloops closed
