3 workers injured in downtown Vancouver construction site accident
1 worker was partially buried by debris and had to be extracted by Vancouver Fire Rescue crews
Three workers have suffered non-life threatening injuries at a construction site accident in downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Assistant Capt. Jarret Gray told CBC News the men were hurt when the facade of a building at the corner Nelson and Burrard streets collapsed, taking with it the scaffolding they were on.
One of the workers was partially buried by the debris and had to be extracted.
Gray said the men fell about three to 4.5 metres onto a second-floor balcony.
Rescuers had to climb fire truck ladders to reach them before all were lowered in a box attached to a construction crane.
The three injured were taken to hospital. All other workers have been accounted for, according to Gray.
Vancouver Fire Rescue Services said the collapse happened at the First Baptist Church.
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In an email, Haebler Construction confirmed the injuries were due to a chimney collapsing during seismic upgrading of the historic church. The company said operations at the site have been suspended and an investigation is underway.
The incident temporarily closed Thurlow Street between Nelson and Smithe streets in downtown Vancouver.
Clarifications
- A previous version of the story said the collapse took place at the site of The Butterfly development, described by developer Westbank Corp. as a 57-storey luxury residential tower. Vancouver Fire Rescue Services later said it occurred at the First Baptist Church, which is adjacent to the Butterfly development.Nov 22, 2023 10:16 PM PT
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With files from Cali McTavish