Kelowna Bridge Reopens After Explosives Threat and Vehicle Fire

A man in crisis blocked the William R. Bennett Bridge with a van, claiming it contained explosives, leading to an 11-hour closure before police declared the area safe.

• The William R. Bennett Bridge in Kelowna, B.C., was closed for 11 hours after a man parked a vehicle across multiple lanes and issued threats about explosives inside.
• Police responded early Monday morning to find a distraught man in the van, who later ignited a small fire that firefighters quickly extinguished.
• The man, identified as Roy Winter, made alarming social media posts claiming the van contained 60 pounds of volatile material and threatened harm if approached.
• Explosives experts from Vancouver inspected the vehicle and declared it safe for removal, allowing the bridge to reopen in the afternoon.
• The closure disrupted travel and emergency services, with firefighters ferrying medical workers across Okanagan Lake to maintain healthcare operations.

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