Saturday, December 27, 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

Toronto cop convicted of assault in beating of Dafonte Miller; brother acquitted

Toronto cop convicted of assault in beating of Dafonte Miller; brother acquitted
A Toronto police officer has been found guilty of assault in the beating of a young Black man more than three years ago, but his brother has been acquitted.

Toronto cop convicted of assault in beating of Dafonte Miller; brother acquitted

B.C. data shows First Nations keeping COVID-19 cases low, 87 cases, 4 deaths

B.C. data shows First Nations keeping COVID-19 cases low, 87 cases, 4 deaths
First Nations in British Columbia have been able to limit COVID-19 infection rates in their communities by strictly following health guidelines and using lessons learned from the historic spread of disease that decimated Indigenous populations.

B.C. data shows First Nations keeping COVID-19 cases low, 87 cases, 4 deaths

Suspect arrested, victim OK after being pinned in truck bed during vehicle theft

Suspect arrested, victim OK after being pinned in truck bed during vehicle theft
A man is in custody and police in Victoria say it's lucky no one was hurt after the owner of a pickup was taken on a rough ride through the city while trying to stop the theft of his vehicle.

Suspect arrested, victim OK after being pinned in truck bed during vehicle theft

University says it's making changes after crash that killed two students

University says it's making changes after crash that killed two students
A report into a bus crash that killed two University of Victoria students calls for travel during daylight hours on a narrow logging road that it says should be improved by the provincial government.

University says it's making changes after crash that killed two students

Senate regrets, will explore compensation, for employees harassed by ex-senator

Senate regrets, will explore compensation, for employees harassed by ex-senator
The Senate's administrative committee said in a statement today it regrets that some staff of former senator Don Meredith were harassed and sexually harassed by him while they were in his employ.

Senate regrets, will explore compensation, for employees harassed by ex-senator

Safe, clean campsites to be made available for seasonal fruit pickers in B.C.

Safe, clean campsites to be made available for seasonal fruit pickers in B.C.
One campsite is planned for the Oliver area in the southern Okanagan and two more are slated for Creston in southeastern B.C., with the province providing about $60,000 for each site.

Safe, clean campsites to be made available for seasonal fruit pickers in B.C.