Two Gabriola Island workers are dead after a concrete pump-truck boom broke and fell on them.
The incident happened at a construction site on Berry Point Rod at around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.
According to the Gabriola Island RCMP, the two men were pronounced dead at the scene.
“A boom from a concrete pouring pump truck broke and landed on two individuals at the construction site. I have no information about what might have caused the break-down in the equipment and certainly, that will be looked into further as the investigation goes on,” said Cpl. Madonna Saunderson, a spokesperson with BC RCMP.
Saunderson said police don’t consider the incident suspicious.
Both the B.C. Coroners Service and WorkSafeBC are conducting parallel investigations.
Initial reports indicated that a crane had collapsed at the work-site.
B.C. Emergency Health Services told CHEK News an air ambulance was dispatched as well as multiple ground ambulances from Gabriola and critical care paramedics from Nanaimo.
Crews with the Gabriola Island Volunteer Fire Department. were among the first to arrive, as part of a massive response to try to save the injured men.
“We had staff at the hall so we had a very quick response today,” said chief Will Sprogus. “We were on scene within five minutes. We had over 10 first responders working on the scene as well as doctors from the doctor’s clinic.”
Sprogus says both victims lived on the island and were known throughout the close-knit community and that their deaths have left the department in shock.
“We respond to calls of family and friends,” said Sprogus. “So when we’re responding to our calls we want to make sure that we take care of our first responders, paramedics and doctors who are responding.”
Kendall Hanson
