Several workers dead after crane collapses at western Canadian construction site

By: Thomas I. Likness
EBC News Service

(Eagle News) — A crane collapse in the British Columbia community of Kelowna, in western Canada, has left several people dead, police said Monday.

The crane was attached to a 25-storey residential building when it collapsed just before 11:00 a.m. local time.

“At this time, we are not prepared to confirm the number of deceased and injured persons in this matter, but there is at least one fatality as a result of this incident,” said Kelowna RCMP Insp. Adam MacIntosh.

All of the dead were construction workers.

MacIntosh says at least one person is unaccounted for, adding that person was not part of the construction crew.

He says when the crane fell it struck an adjacent office building and a seniors home, damaging both buildings.

Evacuation order for surrounding area

An evacuation order is in effect for several residential and commercial buildings in the area.

An emergency center has been setup to assist people forced from their homes.

A 250-foot (76 meter) tower that supported the crane remains attached to the building.

“The area remains unstable and unsafe,” said MacIntosh. “A structural engineer has been brought in and we’re evaluating how to be able to secure that area to make it safe.”

The building under construction is being built by the Mission Group, a local builder.

In a statement, the company says the crane was being dismantled when it fell.

“Mission Group immediately evacuated the building and emergency crews were dispatched to the site,” the company said. “Mission Group expresses its deepest sympathy for the families of those affected by this tragedy.”

The company says it has set up support services to help those in need.

B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains offered his sympathies to the workers and their families.

“My thoughts are with the workers affected, and I send my sincere condolences to the families, friends and co-workers of the victims,” said Bains. “Every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of the day, and I feel awful for the loved ones and colleagues impacted by this tragedy.”
(Eagle News Service)