B.C. Premier David Eby and Labour minister Harry Bains expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the victim
Vancouver Sun | David Carrigg, Joseph Ruttle | February 21, 2024
One person is dead following a crane mishap at the Oakridge Centre redevelopment project in Vancouver.
According to Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Capt. Matthew Trudeau, crews were called to the 5800-block of Cambie at 2:56 p.m. after a report that a crane had dropped its load.
Trudeau confirmed one person was killed. No one else was injured.
“We’re working with the construction companies and contractors (and) they’ve been really helpful, as well as (emergency services) and police,” he said.
“We’ve got WorkSafeBC (members) that are here on scene,” he said. “The primary goal is for us to make sure everything is stabilized.”
B.C. Emergency Health Services said that two ambulances were dispatched to the scene but paramedics did not transport any patients to the hospital.
A worker at the scene who did not want to be named said wooden forms were being raised to the highest floor of the tower under construction on the southeast corner of the Oakridge Centre redevelopment when the load broke away.
These pre-built wooden forms are several metres wide and built primarily out of plywood. In this case it was the form being used for the northeast corner of the tower that became detached.
The form hit the tower as it broke up, then crushed safety fencing on the 14th floor and shattered windows on the sixth and seventh floors before crashing to the ground.
Wooden debris was scattered on the southbound lanes of Cambie Street at West 44th Avenue. A section of metal fencing next to the road had been crushed.