Reported bomb threat leads to lockdown at Royal Inland Hospital

UPDATE:

Interior Health has confirmed that Royal Inland Hospital was given the all clear from the Kamloops RCMP just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday and the lockdown has been lifted.

RIH was put on alert for a reported bomb threat at about 2:40 p.m. this afternoon and initiatied a code black lockdown situation which restricted access in and out of the building.

Police said at approximately 2:10 p.m., they responded to a threat called in to the hospital.

Somebody called the hospital switchboard stating that another person may have left an explosive device in one of the washrooms at RIH.

"While we always take these threats seriously, it's important to know that the hospital security did all that was needed to be done to ensure the safety of everyone within that place,” Kamloops RCMP Staff Sgt. Mathias Van Laer said, noting Mounties and a police dog trained to detect explosives conducted a precautionary sweep of all of the hospital, including its many washrooms.

"Our next step now is to concentrate our efforts in identifying that unknown caller and ensure that he or she doesn't repeat such threat,” Van Laer said.

IH spokesperson Susan Duncan said the response from staff was excellent and thanked patients, staff and families for theior co-operation in avoiding the hospital for the time to allow police to conduct their search.

Original story:

A bomb threat has reportedly been made against Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops and police are on scene in response to investigate.

Interior Health has confirmed to KTW the hospital is on lockdown as police investigate a potential bomb threat, which is classified as a code black.

The public is asked to refrain from visiting the hospital as of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

"Our staff and physicians are highly trained to respond to a wide range of threats to protect the safety of patients and families, and procedures are underway to ensure the safety of everyone at RIH," an email from IH stated.

One patient told KTW it appears an evacuation of some kind is being planned, noting a command centre is being set up in a room near the emergency department.

A pair of RCMP vehicles could be found outside the main entrance off Columbia Street Tuesday afternoon.

KTW has placed a call and is awaiting an update on the situation from the Kamloops RCMP. 

More to come…