State of emergency ended at Kelowna crane site

KELOWNA, B.C. — A collapsed crane at a construction site in downtown Kelowna has been safely disassembled and removed and the area is now deemed safe. As a result, the evacuation order and local state of emergency issued in response to the crane collapse have been lifted.

“While the evacuation order for 1450 Bertram Street has been lifted, residents should prepare to re-enter the building after 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 22 to allow time for ongoing restoration work,” a news release from Central Okanagan Emergrency Operations said. “The conditions and logistics associated with re-entry are being managed by the property management group for that address.”

Power and gas have been restored to all properties with the exception of gas at 1449 St. Paul. This building was physically impacted by the crane collapse and is undergoing a structural survey by the building owner and remains closed at this time.

Four construction workers died July 12 when the arm of the crane fell about 25 storeys as it was being dismantled, while a fifth man was killed when the wreckage hit a nearby building where he was working.

The BC Coroners Service, RCMP and WorkSafeBC are investigating the incident.