Thursday, December 25, 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

Tam to young people: stop spreading COVID-19

Tam to young people: stop spreading COVID-19
Canada's chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam is doubling down on warnings to young Canadians to stop fuelling the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Tam to young people: stop spreading COVID-19

Ban on some conditional sentences tossed out

Ban on some conditional sentences tossed out
A law that bars a judge from imposing a conditional sentence for certain offences was struck down as unconstitutional on Friday in a decision likely to find its way to the country's top court.

Ban on some conditional sentences tossed out

Canfor earns $60.7M in Q2 on higher revenues

Canfor earns $60.7M in Q2 on higher revenues
Canfor Corp. says its results turned positive in the second quarter on a large reversal of a writedown in its lumber operations due to improved demand and prices towards the end of the quarter.

Canfor earns $60.7M in Q2 on higher revenues

Trump 'poisoned' case against Meng: documents

Trump 'poisoned' case against Meng: documents
New court documents accuse the United States president of "poisoning" the extradition case against a Huawei executive being held in Canada.

Trump 'poisoned' case against Meng: documents

Feds allocate $540 million towards transit funding for BC

Feds allocate $540 million towards transit funding for BC
Huge transit funding announcement for BC today. Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson made a $540 million dollar announcement  Thursday morning. 

Feds allocate $540 million towards transit funding for BC

Girl, 6, dies after Montreal stabbing

Girl, 6, dies after Montreal stabbing
A six-year-old girl was stabbed in an east-end Montreal residence early Thursday morning and died of her injuries hours later in hospital, police said.

Girl, 6, dies after Montreal stabbing