Rescue workers walking away from collapsed crane in downtown Kelowna, July 12, 2021.
Image Credit: Submitted/Joanne Zebroff/JDPix
July 11, 2022 - 6:00 AM
July 12 marks that tragic first anniversary of the deadly collapse of a tower crane in downtown Kelowna that claimed the lives of five workers.
There is still no report back from WorkSafeBC or the RCMP as to what caused the tragedy or who, if anyone, is to blame.
It’s been a tough year for family members like Danielle Pritchette whose son, Cailen Vilness, was tied on to the crane and fell with it to his death.
“It was one of the worst days of my life,” Pritchette told iNFOnews.ca in June. “It was probably the worst day of my life.”
Image Credit: Submitted/Joanne Zebroff/JDPix
She is somewhat frustrated with the time it’s taking to learn more about what actually happened that day.
“From an emotional standpoint, yes,” Pritchette said. “But not from an intellectual standpoint. Obviously the more thorough their investigation, the happier I am with that. That’s important to me to make sure that they’re thorough.”
She spoke out publicly in April at a National Day of Mourning for workers killed and injured on the job, lashing out at the construction industry in general for its lack of regard for safety.
She talked about the trauma of that day, waiting to hear if her son was alive.
READ MORE: Mother tormented as she waited for news of her son after fatal Kelowna crane collapse
She plans to continue delivering that message to anyone who will listen. She recently talked to a group in Penticton who were doing a safety training course.
Image Credit: Submitted/Joanne Zebroff/JDPix
“When I shared my story, my purpose was, if I have saved a life – even one – I have done my job,” Pritchette said. “If I cause even one person to double-think, then I’ve done my job. I’m just trying to turn my anger into a productive venue.”
Her son was very safety conscious, coming from a background where both parents take it seriously.
READ MORE: Video footage of Kelowna crane collapse appears to show obvious safety violations
Cailen’s father is a general manager for a safety conscious construction company and Pritchette worked as a safety officer for a construction firm up north.
“I watched the company management as well as the employees treat safety like a joke,” she said. "I was the safety officer and I was treated like I was a joke. I’m there to help them stay safe and alive. And if they weren’t willing to make it safe, then my job was not helping.”
Image Credit: Submitted/Joanne Zebroff/JDPix
Pritchette refuses to say what she thinks about the safety practices on the Kelowna construction site where the crane collapsed while it’s still under investigations.
“I don’t relate the investigation to closure,” she said. “For me, in my heart and in my mind, there will never be closure, because my son didn’t deserve to not come home that day. Period.”
The North Okanagan Labour Council is hosting a memorial service at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Bertram Street where flowers and other mementos have been placed. It’s scheduled to run from 10-11 a.m. on July 12.
READ MORE: Memorial service planned for anniversary of Kelowna crane collapse
That same day, the Mission Group will stop work from 10:45-11:15 a.m. and hold a memorial service where a plaque has been installed where the crane stood.
The Mission Group is building two new towers next to the Brooklyn highrise, where the collapsed crane was working. It was being taken down when the tragedy happened.
Eric and Patrick Stemmer and Jared Zook were also construction workers who died in the collapse. Brad Zawislak was killed inside a neighbouring building where he was working.
Image Credit: Submitted/Joanne Zebroff/JDPix
— This story was updated July 12, 2022 at 8:05 a.m. to correct the spelling of Eric Stemmer.
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