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
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.