Kelowna to remember crane victims at ceremony

The City of Kelowna will hold a ceremony Thursday as part of the National Day of Mourning to honour workers killed or injured on the job.

“The Day of Mourning is a time to re-examine workplace safety and recommit to ensuring employees are surrounded by all the support they need to do their jobs without worrying about their health and safety,” said Mayor Colin Basran.

City flags will be at half-mast for the day.

“This year, we also reflect on the tragic crane accident [last July] that claimed five lives and traumatized so many more people in our city. Workplace safety is always a priority for the City of Kelowna, and that event reminds us all to be vigilant every day,” Basran added.

Global News said, Danielle Pritchett, the mother of Cailen Vilness, one of the four construction workers killed in the accident, will speak at the event at Ben Lee Park.

WorkSafeBC says 161 B.C. workers died from a workplace injury or disease in 2021. There were 62 fatalities due to traumatic injury and 99 fatalities due to occupational disease.