An elderly Osoyoos man is lucky to be alive after his van was struck by a tractor trailer west of Osoyoos last Thursday afternoon around 2:50 p.m.

Osoyoos RCMP said the accident occurred when the man pulled out of the lookout between Osoyoos and Spotted Lake to the west of town.

The man, in his 80s, made a left turn from the lookout across a double solid line and into the path of the truck.

The truck rear-ended the van and pushed it about 300 metres and across the highway where it smashed into the concrete barricade.

When the van came to a rest, it was perched at the edge of a steep embankment, ready to topple down, said Cpl. Jason Bayda of Osoyoos RCMP.

The truck driver, a U.S. resident, was uninjured. The senior, who was the lone occupant of the van, received lacerations to the back of his head, but was conscious. He was taken to hospital in Oliver and then to Penticton for X-rays before being released.

Police warn of numerous business break-ins

Two break-ins at Osoyoos businesses that were reported on Sunday are part of a recent increase of break and enters in town, say Osoyoos RCMP.

“We’re working diligently to try to find out who’s involved in these,” said Cpl. Jason Bayda of the Osoyoos RCMP Detachment.

“We have noticed an increase and just want people to be aware, to keep doors locked and take some ownership for security as well.”

Bayda said often businesses don’t have security cameras or alarms and he recommends they get proper security doors to deter break and enters.

They can also get a plastic liner on windows that prevents the building from being entered if the window is smashed.

“A lot of these thieves are entering places that are very easy to break into,” he said.

“They’re in very quickly and even if there’s an alarm there, they’re in and out before the alarm is received and dispatched.”

Some houses have also had doors kicked in even though no one actually entered, suggesting it is mischief rather than serious attempts at theft.

“It is most likely different people hitting the businesses, but it is still mischief and it’s keeping us busy,” said Bayda. “We treat it just as seriously.”

Anyone with information on these or other crimes is asked to call Osoyoos RCMP at 250-495-7236 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times