Tuesday, December 23, 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

Freeland sworn in as federal finance minister

Freeland sworn in as federal finance minister
Chrystia Freeland is now the federal finance minister, at a time when Canada is dealing with the biggest budget deficit since the Second World War — a job that will involve planning for an economic recovery as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Freeland sworn in as federal finance minister

N.B. Liberals announce ex-Tory as candidate

N.B. Liberals announce ex-Tory as candidate
Former Progressive Conservative deputy leader Robert Gauvin has flipped to the Liberals and took a swipe at his former colleagues Tuesday, calling them "ice cold" when it comes to helping the most vulnerable.

N.B. Liberals announce ex-Tory as candidate

Nisga'a leader Joe Gosnell dies at 85

Nisga'a leader Joe Gosnell dies at 85
A statement from the Nisga'a Lisims government of northwestern British Columbia says Gosnell died in his home in New Aiyansh after a long battle with cancer.

Nisga'a leader Joe Gosnell dies at 85

Many parents nervous about school: survey

Many parents nervous about school: survey
With only weeks until classes resume, a new survey suggests the majority of Canadian parents plan to send their kids back to school but most would want classes cancelled if there is a new COVID-19 outbreak in their community.

Many parents nervous about school: survey

Halifax constables given suspended sentences

Halifax constables given suspended sentences
A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge on Monday handed two special constables with Halifax police suspended sentences with three years probation in the June 2016 suffocation death of an inmate at the city's detention centre.

Halifax constables given suspended sentences

Belarus election 'fraudulent': Champagne

Belarus election 'fraudulent': Champagne
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says Canada does not accept the results of the "fraudulent" presidential election in Belarus.

Belarus election 'fraudulent': Champagne