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

B.C. records 175 overdose deaths in July

B.C. records 175 overdose deaths in July
British Columbia's chief coroner says 175 people fatally overdosed in July, matching the same total in June as access to harm-reduction services such as a safer supply of drugs remains a challenge.

B.C. records 175 overdose deaths in July

First B.C. school to start this year lays out plan

First B.C. school to start this year lays out plan
There were two questions that nagged at Kyla Blair when the school where she works — and that her children attend — restarted class. Would her kids be safe? And would she be able to help keep other kids safe?

First B.C. school to start this year lays out plan

Mounties issued 4 COVID-19 related fines to Surrey Businesses over the weekend

Mounties issued 4 COVID-19 related fines to Surrey Businesses over the weekend
The Surrey COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team (CCET) issued $2,300 fines to one restaurant, two event/banquet spaces, and one after hours club on August 23.

Mounties issued 4 COVID-19 related fines to Surrey Businesses over the weekend

Police need your help finding missing Coquitlam hiker Ali Naderi

Police need your help finding missing Coquitlam hiker Ali Naderi
A Coquitlam man is missing in an area that connects with a spider web of walking and hiking trails, and Coquitlam RCMP is asking for your help to find him.

Police need your help finding missing Coquitlam hiker Ali Naderi

Bernier says O'Toole not a real conservative

Bernier says O'Toole not a real conservative
People's Party Leader Maxime Bernier launched a full-throated attack on Erin O'Toole Monday, accusing the newly minted Conservative leader of wearing a "true blue" mask during the leadership campaign and warning that he is really "Liberal-lite."

Bernier says O'Toole not a real conservative

WTO backs Canada in U.S. softwood dispute

WTO backs Canada in U.S. softwood dispute
Canadian lumber producers cheered the latest decision Monday from the World Trade Organization on Canada's long-standing dispute with its largest trading partner over exports of softwood lumber — a finding the United States quickly denounced as unfair, biased and flawed.

WTO backs Canada in U.S. softwood dispute