Friday, December 19, 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

Dozens of people attempt to claim lost cash: RCMP

Dozens of people attempt to claim lost cash: RCMP
The Mounties had asked people to refrain from contacting police in attempts to guess those details, warning that their claims would constitute fraud.

Dozens of people attempt to claim lost cash: RCMP

Further lockdowns possible if COVID-19 cases keep rising: Ford

Further lockdowns possible if COVID-19 cases keep rising: Ford
The premier said the lockdowns would be regional, and not mirror the broad approach taken during the first wave of the virus in March.

Further lockdowns possible if COVID-19 cases keep rising: Ford

Experts assess the COVID risks of Halloween

Experts assess the COVID risks of Halloween
The scaled-back festivities are yet another blow to normal life wrought by the novel coronavirus, bemoans Vicente, who loves the holiday.

Experts assess the COVID risks of Halloween

$10M mark surpassed by Surrey Makes PPE manufacturers

$10M mark surpassed by Surrey Makes PPE manufacturers
The program’s goal is to ensure that critical PPE is produced, sourced and are readily available to Canadians.

$10M mark surpassed by Surrey Makes PPE manufacturers

MLA Sonia Furstenau wins B.C. Green leadership

MLA Sonia Furstenau wins B.C. Green leadership
Horgan set off election speculation last week when he said the Green party he made an agreement with three years ago that allowed the NDP to form a minority government has changed.

MLA Sonia Furstenau wins B.C. Green leadership

B.C. announces early lung cancer screening program

B.C. announces early lung cancer screening program
Premier John Horgan says 70 per cent of all lung cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, but the program expected to begin by the spring of 2022 would improve survival rates.

B.C. announces early lung cancer screening program