Wednesday, December 24, 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. lets private pot shops sell online

B.C. lets private pot shops sell online
The British Columbia government says new rules for private cannabis retailers will allow pot to be reserved and paid for online, but customers still have to pick up their orders in person.

B.C. lets private pot shops sell online

Compensation process unfair: Meredith employees

Compensation process unfair: Meredith employees
Two women who worked for former senator Don Meredith say the independent process established by the Senate to determine compensation for Meredith's harassment victims is "totally unacceptable" and is re-victimizing them.

Compensation process unfair: Meredith employees

Canada, allies launch Arctic military exercise

Canada, allies launch Arctic military exercise
Canada and some of its closest allies have kicked off a three-week naval exercise in the Arctic that aims to send a message of unity against potential adversaries in the North without spreading COVID-19 to local communities.

Canada, allies launch Arctic military exercise

COVID-19 vaccine not a silver bullet: Tam

COVID-19 vaccine not a silver bullet: Tam
Canada's top public health doctors warned Tuesday that vaccines in development for COVID-19 provide hope but will not mean an immediate end to the pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccine not a silver bullet: Tam

Wildlife conservation funding for B.C.

Wildlife conservation funding for B.C.
The federal government is investing $2 million over four years to support species at risk and habitat protection in southeastern British Columbia.

Wildlife conservation funding for B.C.

Mars once looked like Canada's High Arctic: study

Mars once looked like Canada's High Arctic: study
The deep valleys scarred into the surface of Mars under thick sheets of ice show that the planet once mirrored the Canadian High Arctic, says a new study.

Mars once looked like Canada's High Arctic: study