3 hospitalized, 1 in critical condition, after boat explosion on Vancouver Island
B.C. Emergency Health Services says 2 patients airlifted to hospital
Three people have been hospitalized, one with critical injuries, after a sailboat explosion in the community of Bowser on Vancouver Island.
Veronika Gourlay was working as a server at a nearby restaurant when she heard a "huge, loud boom," that she says shook the entire building, as well as the surrounding residences.
"Then we saw smoke coming off the furthest dock... and all of a sudden all the ambulances and fire trucks came down," she said.
"It was quite scary."
B.C. Emergency Health Services says they were called to the 5400 block of Deep Bay Road at 10:09 a.m. Thursday.
Two ground ambulances and two air ambulances responded, with one patient transported to hospital in critical condition, one in serious condition and one in stable condition.
Photos shared with CHEK News show debris scattered on docks where a wrecked boat is moored.
Deep Bay fire Chief George Lenz said a sailboat exploded with three people on board, causing extensive damage, but he did not yet know the cause, though propane was suspected.
With files from CHEK News and Kathryn Marlow