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
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.