Fifth body recovered from rubble of Kelowna crane collapse | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna News

Fifth body recovered from rubble of Kelowna crane collapse

A crane working on a building at St. Paul St. and Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna Monday morning, July 12.

The body of a Kelowna area man has been recovered after a crane collapse earlier this week in the city's downtown killed a total of five men.

The body of the fifth victim of Monday’s crane collapse was recovered late last night, July 13, according to an RCMP press release. The Kelowna area man is believed to have been working in an adjacent building when the crane went down, burying him in under the rubble.

Online fundraisers and social media posts identified the other victims in the accident, brothers, Eric and Patrick Stemmer, Jared Zook and Cailen Vilness.

READ MORE: Online fundraisers underway for families of men killed in Kelowna crane collapse

"Crews have been working to stabilize the crane and ensure that the site is safe for search crews," according to the RCMP. The man's body was recovered just after 12 p.m. on July 14, by the Vancouver Fire Department Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team.

No further information will be released about the victim at this time, according to the RCMP.

“Everyone involved in this tragic scene has worked tirelessly to bring the search for victims to an end,” says Insp. Adam MacIntosh of the Kelowna RCMP, in the press release. “At this time, we do not believe there are any other persons who were injured or killed as a result of the collapse of this crane. Our deepest condolences go to the family, friends, and coworkers of those who were lost here.”

WorkSafeBC, the B.C. Coroners Service and the Kelowna RCMP are continuing their concurrent investigations into this incident today, July 14.

An evacuation order remains in effect as efforts continue to further secure and dismantle the crane. Once this has been accomplished, a reassessment will be done to determine if it is safe to rescind or reduce the order and allow residents and businesses to return. The RCMP said this might happen within the next day. More information can be found through the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website

If you witnessed this incident, have not yet spoken to police, or have any information about this incident, you are urged to call the Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unit at 250-762-3300


To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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