Chris Vilness, a grieving father, was seen struggling to hold back his tears as he narrated the tragic loss of his son, Cailen, during a memorial service for construction workers held in Vancouver last Tuesday. Three years ago, Cailen Vilness met an untimely death while at work.
Cailen, who was just 23 at the time of his demise, was disassembling a tower crane alongside his teammates on July 12, 2021, when the crane tragically collapsed. The unfortunate incident took place at a construction site managed by the Mission Group in downtown Kelowna. Along with Cailen, four other men lost their lives that day.
Speaking at the Vancouver memorial, Chris Vilness expressed his agitation over the lack of answers regarding the incident. “Three-and-a-half years have passed since the tragedy and yet, we are still in the dark about what exactly happened, or who should be held accountable,” he lamented, “When will we finally understand what led to this tragedy?”
The memorial was attended by representatives from WorkSafe BC, the BC labour force, and several politicians. Chris Vilness voiced his hope that the presence of these individuals could expedite the process of finding answers.
WorkSafe BC, in a statement, mentioned that the incident investigation report about the Kelowna crane collapse won’t be released at the moment, to avoid interfering with the charge assessment process. Earlier in February, charges of criminal negligence causing death were recommended by the Kelowna RCMP. The BC Prosecutions confirmed on Wednesday that the assessment of these charges is still ongoing.
Following the tragic incident, WorkSafeBC has been proactive in suggesting amendments to enhance crane safety across the province. Reflecting on the loss of life, Premier David Eby stated, “Every life lost is a call for us to work collaboratively in ensuring that safety isn’t compromised at any cost.”
As of November 2024, WorkSafeBC reported 142 work-related fatalities, 24 of which were construction workers. Chris Vilness, mourning the loss of his son, made a heartfelt plea, “Enough lives have been lost. It’s high time we prioritise workplace safety.”
In conclusion, while the world of construction and investment continues to grow, it’s crucial to remember the human cost and ensure safety measures are not just implemented but strictly adhered to.
