1 killed, another injured in 'structure collapse' at North Vancouver construction site: fire chief
One person has died and another was taken to hospital with injuries after a structure collapse at a construction site in North Vancouver Wednesday, the local fire chief said.
Mounties said they were called at about 9:45 a.m. because of "some sort of collapse" at a site on Chesterfield Avenue West Esplanade.
"It was a bit of a chaotic scene," said Sgt. Peter DeVries, adding one person was taken to hospital with unknown injuries.
DeVries initially said a second person was trapped and crews had a hard time reaching them.
City of North Vancouver Fire Chief Greg Schalk said the second worker was located and pronounced dead on scene.
The B.C. Coroners Service told CTV News it could not confirm the death because the site has not been deemed safe to enter.
A specialized heavy urban search and rescue task force, known as Canada Task Force 1, arrived at the scene in the late afternoon.
Its director, David Boone, said his team of 20, which included structural engineers and medics, were having challenges reaching the victim, because of the nature of the collapse, which he said occurred in the rear of the building in what was previously a theatre.
“There is concrete that’s hanging that may come down on anyone working below and there is also steel structure that may come down," he said.
Boone estimated the recovery effort would take “hours” with the roof, floor, and walls around the location of the worker’s body all partially collapsed.
"This is a tragic incident. It's upsetting for people who live and work in this area," DeVries added.
WorkSafe BC confirmed it is investigating, but could not confirm the name of the demolition contractor, listed on the building’s exterior as Done Right Demo.
An email and call to the company were not returned.
As of Wednesday evening, there was no update on the survivor’s condition.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.