Monday, December 22, 2025
ADVT 
National

Human error factor in fatal dam spill

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Oct, 2020 06:47 PM
  • Human error factor in fatal dam spill

Metro Vancouver says human error is the clearest factor in the fatal release of water from a dam last week.

The preliminary findings were issued Thursday by Metro Vancouver commissioner Jerry Dobrovolny, who says the error was related to the programming of the control system for the spillway gate at the Cleveland Dam.

He says the Metro Vancouver regional district takes responsibility for the mistake and its deepest sympathies go out to those affected.

Five people who were fishing downstream were swept away when a large volume of water rushed from the dam down the Capilano River on Oct. 1.

The body of one man was pulled from the river and a second man hasn't been found, while the others were rescued.

A statement from Metro Vancouver says it is looking at implementing system enhancements, including a public warning system and increased monitoring downstream to the dam.

"Metro Vancouver is committed to ensuring that this type of event never happens again," the statement says.

The district says it is bringing in expert advisers to assess its practices and procedures, and to provide advice on strengthening its operations and maintenance systems.

It says the most recent safety review, which included an assessment of public safety measures, was in 2016.

MORE National ARTICLES

Feds give $82.5M for Indigenous mental health

Feds give $82.5M for Indigenous mental health
The federal government is pledging $82.5 million to improve access and address growing demand for mental health services in Indigenous communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feds give $82.5M for Indigenous mental health

Quebecois 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' faces backlash

Quebecois 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' faces backlash
Quebec's French-language adaptation of the popular American police comedy, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," is already taking heat before the first episode airs — from one of the actors in the original series.

Quebecois 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' faces backlash

Lawsuit filed in Icefield bus crash

Lawsuit filed in Icefield bus crash
A class-action lawsuit alleging the defendants acted recklessly and unreasonably has been filed against the operators of a tour bus involved in a fatal rollover at Jasper National Park's Columbia Icefield.

Lawsuit filed in Icefield bus crash

Trudeau Liberals come out ahead in new survey

Trudeau Liberals come out ahead in new survey
 A new poll suggests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be well placed to fight an election this fall, seen as the leader best able to care for Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and to get the economy back on its feet.

Trudeau Liberals come out ahead in new survey

Doctors want health care as top election issue

Doctors want health care as top election issue
The New Brunswick Medical Society is calling on political parties to make health care the top priority of the provincial election campaign.

Doctors want health care as top election issue

O'Toole pledges to fight for middle class

O'Toole pledges to fight for middle class
Newly elected Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said Tuesday that as leader, and as a prime minister, he will stand up for the rights of women and the LGBTQ community, and he intends to apply that fighting spirit to all his files.

O'Toole pledges to fight for middle class