SUNDAY UPDATE:
Four people are confirmed deceased and multiple people have sustained injuries, the BC RCMP announced just after noon on Sunday.
“While the investigation is ongoing it is believed that extremely icy road conditions caused the rollover,” they added.

UPDATE: SATURDAY NIGHT

Interior Health tweeted: “Interior Health has initiated a Code Orange response as a result of a bus accident on #HWY97C. Medical teams are currently receiving 53 patients at 3 hospitals located in #Kelowna #Penticton #Merritt.”
It added: “We will make every effort to connect families with patients as soon as possible.”

HIGHWAY 97C has been closed in both directions due to an accident near Merritt involving a passenger bus, the BC RCMP announced at 8:18 p.m.
Police and Emergency Health Services are currently on scene.
“No further information is available at this time. Updates will be provided once more information becomes available,” police said.
Premier David Eby, Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, later released the following statement on the bus accident in the Okanagan:
“On this Christmas Eve we are shocked and saddened to hear of the serious bus accident on the Highway 97C Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna.
“Our thoughts are with those impacted by the crash, their loved ones, and the first responders and health-care workers giving their all to treat people and keep them safe.”