The bridge connecting the cities of Kelowna and West Kelowna in B.C.’s Okanagan was closed for nearly 12 hours Monday after someone left a truck containing materials that police said “present a significant risk to public safety” on the crossing.
Kelowna RCMP closed the William R. Bennet Bridge around 3:45 a.m. after a “distraught” man parked a white panel van across the eastbound lanes, authorities said.
Images from the scene show the words “Mr. Chill Ice Cream” on the front of the vehicle.
The man made threatening comments “concerning his well-being” to police before setting a fire inside the van, Insp. Chris Goebel, acting officer in charge of the detachment, told reporters at an 11:30 a.m. news conference.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and the man was taken to hospital “for any treatment he might require,” Goebel said.
“The known contents of the van alone present a significant risk to public safety,” Goebel added, alluding to comments made over the phone and online.
The RCMP did not provide the name of the suspect, or comment on the veracity of a lengthy social media post put up early Monday that seems to reference the incident.
The post indicates the van contains “60 pounds of highly volatile material,” and suggests the plans for the vehicle involved a live stream. It also details an alleged conspiracy involving the RCMP and Hells Angels.
Goebel added that a concurrent investigation was taking place at a home in Kelowna’s Rutland neighbourhood, and that it was connected to the bridge incident, but said he couldn’t comment on who the house belongs to.
The RCMP’s explosive disposal unit arrived in Kelowna from the Lower Mainland around 1 p.m., and in an update just after 2:15 p.m. police said the bridge had re-opened to traffic.
“The vehicle was examined by EDU who rendered the vehicle safe for transport,” the update reads. ““This investigation remains ongoing and no further details will be provided at this time.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
