Father of Kelowna crane collapse victim calls for better safety standards
Mounted to the wall of Chris Vilness’ office is the harness that was strapped to his son Cailen Vilness’ back during the final moments of his life, a harsh reminder of the tragedy that unfolded on July 12, 2021.
"You just re-live that forever and then you kind of become numb to it all,” Vilness told CTV News.
Twenty-three-year-old Cailen was one of five men killed when a tower crane collapsed at a downtown Kelowna construction site that day.
Vilness, Jared Zook and brothers Patrick and Eric Stemmer died at the scene, and Brad Zawislak was killed while working in a nearby office when part of the crane crashed into his building.
On Tuesday, Kelowna RCMP announced it was recommending a charge of criminal negligence causing death in the incident, but did not disclose who it’s attempting to charge.
“I want somebody, or a group, whoever is responsible, to be held accountable,” Vilness said.
Vilness says Cailen was part of the crew dismantling the crane that day, but feels neither he nor the others on that crew should have been in that position.
He says that was Cailen’s first day back at that job after a six-month absence.
"They didn't have, and weren’t given enough training to be a competent operator or installer or what not of that piece of equipment,” he said.
Both Vilness and the union representing British Columbia crane workers are calling on the provincial government and WorkSafeBC to make regulatory changes to improve tower crane safety.
According to the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115, as it currently stands, contractors that erect and dismantle tower cranes don’t need a license to do so.
“B.C. missed the opportunity to lead immediately following the Kelowna crane collapse. Now we must be leaders in tower crane safety across Canada to ensure this never happens again,” said IUOE Local 115 business manager Brian Cochrane.
WorkSafe has also concluded its investigation, but says it won’t release the findings yet to avoid affecting the charge assessment process, adding measures will be stricter for companies who work with tower cranes.
B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains says WorkSafe will likely make changes to regulations in the spring.
"They will have to give notice to WorkSafeBC, so WorkSafeBC will have opportunity to review their work plan to make sure there's no flaws,” he said.
Court records show that Cailen’s common-law spouse, Jaydean Braham, was one of several people who filed lawsuits against the several branches of the machine’s manufacturer, Liebherr Corporation, citing negligence.
Vilness’ employer, Stemmer Construction, is among that group, claiming Liebherr's crane and related manuals may have "contained a dangerous defect, which led to the accident."
Stemmer themselves are also facing several lawsuits in relation to the incident.
None of the allegations against either company have been proven in court.
Meanwhile, Chris is hoping changes will be made quickly, to help ensure no other families have to go through something like this.
“It’s not something Cailen should have ever experienced,” he said.
“All of these individuals, hard working family men, every single one of them, none of them deserved that fate,”
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Todd Coyne and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.